MARINE SURVEYS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1372, 6 February 1905, Page 3

MARINE SURVEYS.

GOVERNMENT DISPENSE WITH PENGUIN’S SERVICES.

I' - : (Per Press Association.) Auokland, las* night. Information has boon reoeivod in Auckland that the Now Zoaland Government has given notice to tho oaptain of H.M.S. Penguin, engaged on marine survey work in Now Zealand waters, dispensing with the further services of that vessel, It is assumed among sbipp. jeopio that tho Government proposes j continue inoompleted surveys itself in the hope of saving. The Penguin, which now lies in Auckland harbor, has been engaged for tho past five years making a survey of tho coast of New Zealand, and has been receiving from tho New Zoaland Government an annual payment of ;Soooo. At tho time when tho Penguin took up tho work it was found that none of our existing charts were aoourate. A previous survey had been done by H.M.S. Challenger about 40years ago, aud since that timo considerable changes had evidently taken place in the bottoms of tho harbors. Tho notice to discontinue the services of the Penguiu seems to have come suddenly, and without previous warning. It has been followed by an iutimation from tho Admiralty that in consequonco of the Government’s decision the Penguin must prooeed to Sydney at the end of February, pny off there, and return to England. The Penguin will

next be put on survey work at Solomon Islands on behalf of the Admiralty.