H.M.S. PENGUIN.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 39, 15 February 1905, Page 6

H.M.S. PENGUIN.

DISCXD2CTINUANCE OF SURVEY. WORKWELLINGTON, February 8. The statements contained in , the Prese Association's message from Auckland with reference to the services of HJH-s. Penguin being dispensed with for survey work on the New Zealand coast, I am informed, are not quite correct, inasmuch as the Minister for Marine informed the House when dealing with the marine estimates last session that the Government had given, notice to terminate the arrangements with the Imperial Government. I understand that the Admiralty has a very large amount of survey 'work requiring its attention, and during last year the attention of the New Zealand Government was drawn, to the desirability of the New Zealand Government starting the re-survey of the coastline, and this I believe to be the intention of the Government. A.t about the same time notice was given of a desire to terminate the arrangement with H.M.S. Penguin, under survey agreements with H.M. ships. The Admiralty retains in its own hands decision as to what places or waters shall be surveyed. There are, no doubt, many places on the coast of New Zealand which are of importance locally, and -which should have some attention. The arrangement with the Ipperial authorities is that the New Zealand Government pays onehalf the cost of maintenance of the ship, which also includes repairs. So far the cost to the New Zealand Government has been about £7000 per annum. It is thought a substantial saving can be effected by the colonial Government having the work of surveying done under its own supervision ' °