THE NEW RIVER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 74, 10 February 1862, Page 2

THE NEW RIVER.

We lately iiublislie;! the now sailing directionfor the entrance to the New River. We now give the report of the Cliief-Suvveyor on the Buoys, Beacons, &c, on the south side of the New Kivcr. BEPonr. Sinvey Office, Invereni-jrill. Jamiary 12. ISG2. Sir.—l. I have the honor to forward herewith fi.n enlarged map of n portion of the south short of the New River, showing the channel from the Pilot's house to the BomKiv Rock, and the position of tie beacons, and of the wreck of the s. s. " Oscar."

2. it will 1-e seen that this part of the channel 13 very nearly straight, nowhere less than « cable's length Vide, with a minimum depth of If feet at low water sprint: tides, and that it is fre( from any danger whatever ; but since the novtl side of'the channel is boundei by a sandspit. which is never visible, it wn obviously desirabh to establish some marks to indicate either the fairway of the channel, or what would have been fin better, its extreme limit an the north side, especially at the point where the small convexity o' the sandspit brings it nearest to the south shorethe exact spot where the " Oscar" was lost. 3. For this purpose, the two beacons (marked A and B) were- erected ; and by the notification in the Ofago Government Gazette of September 27, 1860, it would appear that it was meant that vessels shou'd keep them on with one another «W *Wng the guide for the fairway of tin channel. 4. These beacons are of inconsiderable size, anr! of very slight construction. The inner one is amongst and in front of samlhil.s, which it exactly resem'iles in colour, owing to the constantly drifting and adhering to the paint ; and it. is therefore very difficult to discern it at any considerable distance. 5. The beacons stand 326 feet apart from oneanother, and the .wreck of the " Oscar" is exactly one mile from tfi*e nearest beacon ; the channe' «.t that (the narrowest) part being only 10 chains wide ; it therefore suMc-nds an angle at the upper beacon of less than 7 = . G. Moreover, the her.cons do not stand in the same plane, but the inner one is elevated about 40 feet above the outer one, so that in keeping them on, the one cannot be seen exactly behind the other, but reference must be had to an imaginary vertical line,'which a little experience in Field Surveying will prove that many eyes are incapable of appreciating with accuracy. 7. I am. therefore, led to the conclusion that these beacons are so near together,and. so distant from the point necessary to be marked ; so difficult to be seen and to have their angularity observed, while so small a difference in that angularity marks the transition from safety to danger, that* they could never have constituted a safe guide for the channel, even if they had been placed so as fo point truly to its centre. But I find, in fact, that they bear so much to the north of mid-channel, that the edge of the Spit is only, i I°, and the side of tha •' Oscar" as she'lies, only io 40' opan of their centre bearingl, so that a vessel bringing them truly on would be at the very edge of the shoal. As the form and position of the Spit appears to agree accurately with Sir Thomson's chart, there is no reason whatever for supposing that the channel has shifted. 8. The position of the beacons might n» doubt be considerably improved ; but for the reasons given, I do not think they could ever by themselves make perfectly trustworthy and efficient marks in all weather, and in my opinion either the edge of the shoal, or as Mr Cheyne suggests, the centre of the fairway ought to be marked by two or perhaps three iron buoys ; and, looking to the great objection thero is to altering marks which liavs become known. [ woulil not recommend any change to be made until efficient substitutes have been prepared, and their ultimate positions fully decided upon. But I would call your Honor's attention to the necessity of notifying that, in sailing up the channel, the beacons ought not to be kept on, but a little open to the southward, anil that they should on no account be brought in the least open on their north side. ■ 9. I would also reco mend that not less than fire (5) iron buoys, with' proper chains, should be j provided for this and the Blnft' Harbor. 10. An i»-(n\ beacon should also be placed on the small reef which runs out a little way just below the Maori village. It is at present, marked by a Manuka pole, indicated on the map by a red cross. 11. I think also that a large and more substantial beacon might easily and advantageously be placed on the Bombay Kneks ; but the very boisterous weather prevented my examining this and several other points as I wished to have done. 12. The two beacons for the outer bar make a rcry good mark as far as they go, but they are ■mall and of so temporary a construction that they misht be overthrown at any moment, and their absence even for a day might cause a disaster. 13. The flaastaff is very disadvantageously placed, being only open to the westward, so that a vessel coming from the direction of the Bluff is | not seen from it until she is so close in that the pilot may not have time to board her before she is over the bar, and until it is too late to warrant her to keep to sea if circumstances are unfavorable to her coming iv. j 14. There is a very good situation for a flagstaff about half-a-mile back, and if the pilot has always four men, one of them might act as signal man very well, since in case of need be would be able to join the boat's crew in tinve to go oif. But of course a signal-man for that duty alone would be preferable. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obediant sen-ant, (Signed) Theofh. Heale, Chief Surveyor. His Honor the Superintendent.