THE WEST COAST SURVEY.

West Coast Times, Issue 681, 29 November 1867, Page 3

THE WEST COAST SURVEY.

Our Wellington contemporary has the following: — A marine survey of those portions of the coast of the colony that are improperly laid down in the charts, a work which is sadly needed, and for executing which provision was made during the last session of the General Assembly, will, we are happy to say, be very shortly begun. Numerous artificers are now busily employed on board the Government steamer iSt. Kilda, caulking her decks, and otherwise preparing her for the work of the survey ; and she will be ready for sea by the 25 th inst. Among the many services hitherto rendered by the St. Kilda, and that she may be called upon to perform, we knoAV of nothing likely to give greater satisfaction to the community at large than that she is about to be employed upon, and the Government may rest perfectly satisfied that the public will in this matter fully concur in whatever expenditure may be found necessary to insure the safety of vessels and seamen navigating our coasts. We have been informed that the first work to be done is that of surveying the Kaikoura Peninsula, as it is supposed that that there are two places, one on each side of the Peninsula, capable of being used as harbors of refuge for ' coasters, if properly surveyed, and charts of the place published. The St. Kilda will then proceed to carry out a general survey of the West Coast of the Middle Island. We believe the charge of the marine survey has been entrusted to Mr Woods, an officer not unknown to us in New Zealand, as he commanded a division of the Naval Brigade during the Taranaki war, and was for many years the senior lieutenant of H.M.s s.s. Victoria. Whilst holding that appointment he satisfactorily assisted in various marine surveys of the colony of Victoria ; and was second in command and marine surveyor to the naval expedition to the Gulf of Carpentaria previous to the settlement of that portion of Australia. He more recently organised the system of naval trainining now in use in Victoria, which "has given so much satisfaction both there and in England, and it may fairly bo presumed, in no small degree influenced the home authorities in presenting the colony with the Nelson line-of-battle ship for the effectual carrying out of the training service. Owing, however, to unauthorised departmental expenditure, Mr Woods lost his appointment, but vre see by the late Melbourne papers that the publi* are not satisfied with the course the Government have taken in this mater, and that a royal commission has been asked for and promised at the close of the session, to enquire into this and one or two other matters in connection with the working of the industrial schools of the colony. Mr Woods' experience is, therefore, a guarantee that the work will ,be successfully performed, while it is one of sufficient importance to make it worthy of his most attentive care, and we are sure that he will find able coadjutors in Captain Fox and his crew.