7

H.—ls

Concerning electric and telephone communication with the various light-stations, I have much pleasure in stating that where communication has been established it has been of great service to the shipping community, for weather-reporting purposes, and for reporting passing vessels; also it has been of considerable use for departmental purposes. I would therefore recommend that all light-stations should be connected by telephone with the nearest telegraph-station where practicable. During the year much has been done, with a view of perfecting and improving the lighting system on the coast and the harbour lights. The lighting apparatus intended, for Cape Palliser and Cape Kidnappers has arrived in Wellington, and is stored waiting the completion of their respective towers. Leading lights have been provided for Mokau Biver, and the advisability of having leading lights at Hokianga is under consideration. An iron cage has been added to the beacon off Haulashore Island, Nelson Harbour, and a more powerful light is now exhibited therefrom than hitherto; also signals to indicate the depth of water during flood-tide at the entrance of Nelson Harbour both day and night have been established, and are found to be of great service to mariners. The Harbour Boards at Napier and Gisborne have provided leading lights for the convenience and safety of shipping at their respective ports. Numerous surveys have been made of reported dangers, and buoys and beacons have been placed to mark them where required. Plans have been executed for the introduction of an auxiliary light on the Brothers, for the purpose of guiding mariners when navigating in the vicinity of Walker Rocks, off Jackson's Head ; also, at the request of the Hon. the Minister of Marine, plans were prepared for the introduction of a more suitable light for Bluff Harbour. I also reported favourably on the desirability of having Dog Island connected by cable, to enable passing vessels to be reported when the signalstation at the summit of Bluff Hill was obscured. Soundings have been taken and borings made on Hope Shoal, off Ward Island, with a view of placing a light there, to be used instead of the one at present in use at Somes Island. Some time ago. I held that the light would be better on Hope Shoal than on Somes Island. Since then the locality has been surveyed, and I have also made a further examination ; and I am now of opinion that, if the power of the light on Somes Island was increased to that of a third- or fourthorder light, it would answer the purpose admirably for which it is intended. With a view of further improving Wellington Harbour, it may be deemed necessary at some future time to light the harbour by means of gas buoys. In conclusion, I wish to make a few remarks concerning new light-stations. After the proposed lighthouse at Cape Palliser, Cape Kidnappers, and the Snares are constructed, it may be deemed necessary to add stations at other points on the New Zealand coast from time to time. These additional lights should, in my opinion, be erected in the following order, according to their importance : — Bocks Point (between Westport and Cape Farewell). —This light has almost become a necessity in view of the large number of vessels in the coal-carrying trade which pass this locality. Kiourangi Shoal, carrying 3J fathoms of water, lies about ten miles north of Bocks Point, and is about five miles off the nearest coast-line. This shoal is a source of danger to all classes of shipping, but more particularly to larger vessels with heavy draft of water making the coast of New Zealand. East Gape. —Situated between Gisborne and Auckland. This cape is the turning-point for all vessels bound to Auckland from the south part of New Zealand, and vice versd. There is at present no light on this part of the coast between Portland Island and Cuvier Island. The cape is distant 100 miles from Portland Island and 145 miles from Cuvier Island. Kaikoura Peninsula. —This lies half-way between Wellington and Lyttelton. It was close to this Peninsula that the steamer " Duke of Buckingham " stranded a few years ago. North Cape. —This cape is situated at the north-east extremity of New Zealand, and is the turning-point for all vessels coming from the westward bound to the east coast ports of the North Island, and vice versd. Cape Brett. —This lies between the Moko Hinou light and the North Cape. The Cape is distant about sixty miles from Moko Hinou light and eighty miles from the North Cape. This light would be a guide to the Bay of Islands, as well as being a good coastal light. Flat Point. —About forty-five miles north-east of Cape Palliser. There are numerous outlying dangers here in the shape of sunken rocks, on which several steamers have struck. It is off this point that the course of vessels is usually altered for north and south. Of these lights, the most pressing are Rocks Point and the East Cape. I have, &c, George Allman, The Secretary, Marine Department. Inspector of Lighthouses.