THE ONEHUNGA FERRY SERVICE

Taranaki Daily News, 25 July 1921, Page 4

THE ONEHUNGA FERRY SERVICE

The frequency with which the ferry service between New Plymouth and Onehunejn is held up or delayed, owing to the Rarawa being unable to negotiate the Manukau bar, causes great inconvenience, and, at times, serious loss. The approach to the Manukau iiarbor on the inward trip does not, apparently, present the same dilllEulties as are experienced by outward bound vessels. Tho shifting nature of the sand-banks is the cause of the trouble, and it apnearsvto be impossible to estimate what changes are likely to take place from time to time. A careful survey has just been completed by Captains Sergeant and Gibbons, harbor-masters, who have marked out a new channel, which they consider provides the safest and best entrance that the Manukau harbor has ' had for years. It has a minimum depth of 23 feet at low water spring tide, which is two feet deeper than at present, but the greatest advantage is its straightness and direction, vessels being able to avoid beam seas, as they will either have the seas dead on or straight behind. The surveyors report that the bar is now four miles from the head, against three formerly. The main channel will now pass right through tho bank. As soon as the beacons and lights are fixed the new channel can be operated, and it is hoped that this will enable vessels to work the bar in all weathers, and so permits the ferry service to be reguarly carried out. Passengers should be pleased to know that the channel will be much safer than heretofore, and the .harbor-masters who carried out the survey so satisfactorily are deserving of commendation for. their excellent work.