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question of the obligations of the several Governments to contribute towards other lights from which colonial shipping, other than Tasmaniau, would derive benefit, and towards the expenses of which it contends assistance might fairly be asked from other colonies. Under these circumstances, it appears hardly likely that united action will be taken by the Australasian Colonies to erect this light. Indeed, considering that the light would be almost entirely for the use of sailing-vessels, more particularly those bound from Australian ports round the Horn, and that steamers are supplanting sailing-vessels, it appears somewhat questionable whether it would be worth while to goto the expense of erecting it. Eeference was made last year to the necessity for the erection of a light on Stephens Island, Cook Strait; I would again draw attention to this matter, as I believe that its erection would be of very great value both to vessels engaged in the over-sea trade bound through Cook Strait, and also to the numerous vessels which pass through the Strait in connection with the West Coast coal trade. Harbours. —The flagstaff for signalling to vessels has been moved from the Port Hill to near the lighthouse on the Boulder Bank, at Nelson, and the lighthouse has been connected by telephone to the town-telephone system. Arrangements have been made whereby the lighthouse is kept in constant communication with the Harbourmaster's house during the hours when the Telephone Exchange is closed. This telephone has been found to be of great service ; and, in the event of any accident happening to a vessel crossing the bar at night, it would probably be the means of saving both lives and property. The services of Captain "Wing, the Harbourmaster and Pilot at Manukau, were dispensed with on the 30th April, 1888, on the ground of failing health, and he died soon afterwards. He was one of the oldest traders to Manukau, and also one of the senior Harbourmasters in New Zealand, and I desire to place on record the appreciation of the department of the services rendered by him in both Provincial and General Government services for a period of over thirty-one years. Applications were invited for the vacant appointment, and Captain. John Eobertson was selected from the candidates. He entered on his duties on the Ist May last. Plans of a new beacon for Manukau South Head have been prepared, but its construction has been deferred for the present. The port-charges fixed at Wairau having, owing to increased traffic, been found to considerably exceed the expenditure, they were on the Bth May, 1888, reduced to a rate that was estimated to cover the working expenses of the port. The buoys and beacons at the various ports under the charge of the department have been attended to when required by the s.s. " Stella." Orders in Council. —The following Orders in Council, under the provisions of the Harbours Acts, have been issued during the year : — April 9, 1888. Vesting Tauranga Wharf in Tauranga Borough Council. April 24. Approving plans of slipway, Bluff Harbour. April 24. Approving of Thames Harbour Board licensing J. H. Smith to occupy portion of foreshore. May 1. Approving plans of additions, &c, Victoria Wharf, Auckland. May 1. Approving plans of extension of wharf at Devonport, Auckland. May 8. Fixing new pilotage-rate for Wairau. May 16. Vesting Marsden Point Wharf in Whangarei County Council. May 22. Validating election of Chairman of Waitara Harbour Board. May 29. Approving of Greymouth Harbour Board altering rolling-stock to work new cranes. May 29. Approving plans of Stewart and Co.'s timber staging or Slip, Te Aro, Wellington. May 29. Approving plans of J. Eraser's boatshed, Oriental Bay, Wellington. May 29. Approving plans of J. McKirdy's boatshed, Clyde Quay, Wellington. May 29. Approving plans of Allan Maguire's bridge or staging over boat-harbour, Wellington. June 5. Approving plans of G. Parker's boatshed, Oriental Bay, Wellington. Jnne 12. Approving plans of additions and alterations to Greymouth Harbour Works. June 19. Approving plans of groins for protection of Napier from heavy seas. July 10. Prescribing dues and rates for Akaroa wharves. July 24. Approving plans of extension of breakwater at Wanganui by fascine-work. July 31. Prescribing dues and rates for Wainui Wharf, Akaroa. August 22. Approving of Greymouth Harbour Board procuring additional rolling-stock. September 11. Approving of Westport Harbour Board procuring additional rolling-stock, September 11. Approving plans of sea-water pipes of H. Sankey, at Eahopara Point. September 11. Licensing H. Sankey to occupy foreshore at Rahopara Point for laying down pipes for salt-works. September 11. Approving plans of J. Murdoch's wharf, Oban, Stewart Island. September 11. Licensing J. Murdoch to occupy foreshore at Oban, Stewart Island, as a site for wharf. September 11. Approving plans of D. Christie's boatshed, Clyde Quay, Wellington. September 25. Approving plans of Town of Eaglan, and Whaingaroa Road Boards wharf, Raglan Harbour. September 25. Licensing Town of Raglan and Whaingaroa Roads Boards, to occupy foreshore, Eaglan Harbour, as site for wharf. October 2. Authorising Greymouth Harbour Board to construct two goods-sheds on wharf. October 9. Authorising Westport Harbour Board to construct siding in station-yards. October 23. Approving plans of borough baths, near Cemetery Point, Akaroa Harbour. October 23. Licensing Akaroa Borough Council to occupy foreshore, Akaroa Harbour, as a site for baths. October 30. Approving plans of foundation for 35-ton crane, Wellington. November 3. Approving plans of modification of extension of Wanganui Breakwater by fascines. November 27. Authorising Greymouth Harbour Board to make additional sidings.