South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), Friday 4 May 1877, page 7


MARIKB BOABP.

Titubsday Mat 3.

? Present— Captain K. H. Ferguson, J.r., pre sident j Captain J. W. Smith, JJE\, Captain Tapley, and Mr. J. Formby, and Mr. T. N. Stenhens. Secretary.

NEW MAHINE BOARD OFFICES. Captain Smith, in reference to the pro posed site for the new Marine Board offices, said he thought it would have been better to have selected it for a Custom House, as it was advisable that such a highly important institution should be in the most convenient and prominent position. The present Custom-House buildings would do for Marine Board offices. The President said the Marine Board was likely to be quite as important an institution as the Cuatom-House, and required to be in an equally prominent position. The ground Captain Smith referred to was too small for a Custom-House, and would not be sufficient to meet the growing require ments of such a large establishment as the Custom-House was likely to become, within the next five years. Moreover, it would interfere either with the Telegraph office on one side or the Institute on the other. THE PRESIDENT'S KEPORT. .. . . : The' annual report of the President of the Marine Board for 1876 was read by Captain Ferguson, as follows: — , ~~ ? : Marine Board Offices, Port Adelaide; March 16, 1877. ' gjr ? i have the honour to furnish the follow ing report of the Marine Department for the year ended December 31, 1876: — DBEPENISa. 1. As the deepening operations have been transferred from this department to that of the Engineer of Harbours and Jetties, itL is unne cessary to comment thereon. - . ? - -2. I musti however, draw attention to the necessity for deepening that portion of the haibour lying between Fletcher's Slip and the* Government Yard, principally for the purpose of accommodating coal hulks. There are six or seven of these hulks at present moored in the tiers, and during the last busy season they occupied room which could ill Jbe spared. Not infrequently four, and sometimes five, vessels were banging to the same mooring. ' 3. As the limestone bottom has not yet been broken up opposite ? Queen's Wharf, a large amount of deepening is required forthwith, as the lease expires this year. -_?-4. DredgiDg operations above the Port Bridge cannot be much longer delayed, and strenuous exertions should be made to carry out this work at an early date. ? 5. The sinking of the dredger Willunga by the 3.s. Yictorian on the 6th ultimo has post poned somewhat the deepening of the outer bar. It is hoped, hawever, that in less than three months the machine will be at work again. 6. As the machinery ordered by the Board for the new dredger which is being constructed at the Government Yard will in all probability arrive from London in two or three mouths time, the hull should be 'vigorously pushed forward to meet the foregoing requirements. 7. The deepening and. widening of Ports Pirie and Wakefield demand every, considera tion. '. - - J ? ' JETTIES.' '? '' ??'-?'??*:? ' : S. Moonta Bay Jetty requires to be length ened considerably before vessels can go along side at all times of the tide, and the rapidly increasing trade of the port demands that this should be done as early as possible. 9i Ardrossan Jetty also requires lengthening, to an extent at least of 500 feet, to make it really ; serviceable. ; . . . ./ 10. The new jetties proposed to be erected at Stansbury, Port Victoria, Alinlacowie, and Point Turton will, when finished, be of immense value to the rapidly increasing population on. Southern Yorke's Peninsula, and will be the means of saving thousands of pounds which would of necessity otherwise have to be expended by the Government in roadmaking. 11. With jetties at Port Vincent and Pprt Alfred, Yorke's Peninsula would be amply sup plied, and I strongly recommend their construc tion as soon as possible. 12. A jetty erected in Gennein Bay, east of Ward's* Spit, where deep water can be obtained at an inconsiderable distance from the shore would largely benefit those farmers who have taken up land in a, north and 'nortii-east direc tion from Port Pirie. The site is completely sheltered, and large vessels could always load alongside, so that every possible facility could be given for the easy shipments of our produc tions in that neighbourhood. XIOHTHOCSES; 13. The Board have made the annual visit of inspection to the light establishments, and only at two (Cape Jaffa and Cape Borda) did neces sity exist for finding fault. The head-keeper, Cape Jaffa, was severely reprimanded. I shall take an early opportunity of visiting this light house again; when I hope to find everything in a satisfactory condition. ? : report which is the cheaper of the two. 16. The mineral oil, now entirely used at Cape Jaffa, Port Adelaide, and Cape Jervis Light houses, gives great satisfaction, being only in ferior as an illuminant to gas. ' 17. Burners to allow mineral oil to be con sumed in all the other lighthouses were ordered from London some time since, and are expected to arrive shortly. 18. On the completion of the new iron-pile lighthouse on Tipara Reef, having a ieris apparatus of the first order, it is considered that the lightship at present stationed there should be; brought to Port Adelaide for repairs, and afterwards sent to mark, the entrance of Ports Augusta and Pirie in a position to be decided upon hereafter. It is proposed' to put a sum onjthe Estimates to cover the cost of necessary alterations. 14. One or two changes were considered desirable. The second keeper at Cape Borda, who had been repeatedly charged with misbe haviour, was removed, and had to pay the ex penses of his transfer to another lighthouse. 15. As an illnminaTit gas has been used at Glenelg for the last few months; the light there from is most brilliant, and in my opinion superior in power to that produced by mineral oil. I am not yet, however, in a position to 19. As the Government have decided upon and ordered a first-class light for Althorpe Island, this will meet a long-needed require ment, and be of infinite service to vessels trading to and from Spencer's Gulf. 20. I strongly recommend the erection of a lighthouse on Corney Point at the entrance of Hardwicke Bay. A third-order light will be sufficient. 21. A site has been selected by the Marine Board for the lighthouse at Rivoli Bay North on Penguin Island. This should receive im mediate attention. 22. As some time will elapse before the new Kingston Jetty light can bo exhibited, it is recommended that a temporary light be sup plied as soon as funds are available. A flagstaff has been erected here, arid will be useful for signalling vessels. ' 2& It has been frequently reported that a light on the South Neptune Island Would be invaluable for ships coming from the westward towards our shores. I know of an instance in point where one of the mail steamers from King George's Sound came between the islands at night during thick rainy weather. As no obser vations had been obtained to verify her position during the whole' voyage, the vessel was set to the northward during the passage for a con siderable distance. ? 24. Not infrequently — particularly with easterly winds— a landfall is made about the islands, so that n lighthouse is very necessary. 25. With a light on the north end of the Eastern Shoal, one on Corney Point, and another on Shoalwater Point (or Plank Point), where, at a distance of nearly a mile and a half from the shore a depth of only four feet at low water exists, Spencer's Gulf would be well lighted. No engineering difficulties exist with regard to tlie erection of a lighthouse at the lastmen tioned place. It should be a screw-pile structure. 26. It has frequently been mooted that the light on Troubridge Shoal is in the wrong posi tion — that it should be placed more to the southward in order to prevent vessels being wrecked in that neighbourhood. No doubt exists that in certain states of the atmosphere, both by day and night, it is almost impossible to estimate the distance when passing. This of course can be met by saying, ' Why not use the lead ?' but many shipmasters do not attend to this very necessary duty. 27. I fear that if the present light were removed and placed on the south end of the sl.oal vessels beating down the Gulf would be much in the same position as those coming through Investigator's Straits— they would be liable to go nshore on the north end. 28. After having carefully considered this matter, I am of opinion that it would be better to have a lightship moored in a position about four miles south of the lighthouse in about 12 fathoms of water. 29. The erection cf an iron-pile lighthouse on the south end of the reef would co3t little if anything under £35,000 or £40,000, and a light ship could be purchased for less than £8,000. This is an important matter, and I therefore recommend it for the careful consideration of the Government. ZJGTTT DTJES. 30. As the imposition of light dues fall heavily pa shipowners, particularly those

engaged in our home trade, it is considered to be a tax which might properly and fairly be defrayed from the General .Revenue, and it has long been deemed desirable by the Marine Board to abolish the charges. The reduction of restrictions placed on the mercantile marine of any country has been proved beyond a doubt to be a step in the right direction towards the in creased prosperity of that country. The Board, therefore, recommend that the collection of light dues should cease at once, and urge upon the Government the desirableness of earnestly con sidering this question at an early date. 31. America has, I believe, the largest light house establishment in the world, and there are no lightf dues in that country. Most of the Con tinental States of Europe have also abolished the dues, and slowly but surely England is moving in the same direction. It is only a question of time when they will be of the past. S.S. GOVERNOR MCSGRAVE. ; c~' The steamer Governor Musgrave has been emijoyed almost without intermission during the last year. The growing requirements of the Maiine Department will in a short time demand ajlarger vessel ; and I am of opinion that the tetter— certainly cheaper— way is to lengthen her by, say 35 feet. The vessel's scantling is quite large enough to admit of this being done a| a moderate cost, the amount of which, however, I am not at present able to state. Such an alteration would not only reduce her draught o| 'water, but increase her speed and give more accommodation, which at times is certainly much required, and the same number of crew would be sufficient to work the vessel. i POWDER 3IAGAZIKES. * 33. The old magazine has been put in a thorough state of repair. ' ' |34. It is singular that at no time since the new ? magazine was erected has it been found neces sriry to store powder therein. At present it is utedasa store for mineral oil for lighthouse purposes. ? ' . ? I DANGEROUS EXPOSIVES. 1 35. Dangerous explosives— the principal com ponent part of Tvhich is mtro-glycerine — are ajlowed to be placed in our midst without hindrance. In fact, there is at the present moment as much stored in Port Adelaide as would lay it completely waste if by any chance it should explode. I have already drawn atten tion to the necessity of Legislative action being taken for the regulation and storage of such dangerous and uncertain compounds. Im mediate steps should be taken for having them removed, and I beg, to suggest that the new powder magazine be used for this purpose.. i -?? ', MOORINGS. j 36. The whole'of the 'mooring chains in the harbour have been renewed at considerable expense, and should remain good for the next ten years. ; ?37. The moorings at MacDonnell Bay and Victor Harbour have received new buoy and mooring chains, and are now in good order. 1 38. New screw moorings sufficient to meet the wants of Por Augusta for a considerable time to cqme have also been laid. One of the old and ooe of the new moorings are out of order, and w£ll be repaired as soon as the steamer can be spared for that purpose. 139. The shipping community of Eivoli Bay South ask that moorings may be laid down there. The Board, however, have always strongly opposed placing moorings in that locality for the' following reasons :— I. Vessels going there should be provided with ground tackle of suffi cient size to hold them without moorings, as the aichorage ground is good. II. If the Govern ment do supply moorings they will of necessity bf of such size that vessels using, then: must make fast with their own chains, and therefore be in no better position than if they used their own anchors, except perhaps ? in the saving of, a little time if the -necessity arose for their havingto shift ground when a gale of wind was expected. The cost of suitable moorings for two vessels will not be less than £700, and it will be necessary to have some one to look after them for the purpose of seeing that they are properly let go, otherwise the Governor Musgrave must be sent to pick them up on every occasion when improperly used, which will entail considerable eipense. ? - -\ BUOYS AND BEACONS. 40. The number cf outports on our coastline has caused a considerable expenditure for buoys and beacons. For the safety of navigation it is most desirable that such seamarks he efficiently kept up. There are now no less than 268 buoys and beacons marking our coastline, channels, and dangers. j PHOT SERVICE. 41. The pilot service is decidedly as unsatis factory as ever. So far as outside pilotage is concerned it is a perfect sham. Nine-tenths of the ships arriving are not boarded at a greater distance than one mile south of the Semaphore Jetty, and in many instances not until they have anchored in the roadstead. Several cases where vessels have gone ashore through the pilot's delay in boarding can be cited. The last instance was that of the Duntrune grounding within a mile of the Semaphore Jetty in broad daylight. Such a state of affairs should not exist ; and this is a matter which assuredly calls for early consideration by the Government. The duties at present are of the simplest nature, on account of most vessels being towed in and out of 'the port. The pilot gives the order to steer after the funnel, which any novice could do. ?: 42. Either one of two things should be done. Have an outside pilotage, with cutters stationed, say 10 or 12 miles south of the Semaphore, or abolish the present compulsory system. To do the first will be the nieansof increasing pilotage rates to an amount wholly unjustifiable for the service rendered. Shipmasters and owners would also naturally and reasonably object to it as unnecessary. I therefore feel confident that the abolition of compulsory pilotage for Port Adelaide will create a healthier state of affairs and work more satisfactorily in every way. It would, in my opinion, create an emula tion which at present does not exist, and so long as the present effete system is countenanced is not likely to exist. 43. The gross sum received as earnings by the seven pilots employed during the year ended December 31, 1876, amounted to £2,663 lls. 2d. 44» Twenty-seven certificates of exemption from pilotage have been issued to masters of vessels during the year. SHIPPING CASUALTIES. 45. When it is considered that we have a coast line of 2,400 miles, exclusive of the Northern Territory, it must be admitted that the casualties are singularly few and comparatively unimportant. ! MARINE BOAED.ACTS. : 46. Referring to the last paragraph, I would remark that owing to the ^egal decisions which have been given in various cases, it was found necessary to alter the law so as to allow the Board to make enquiries respecting the loss, grounding, &c, of all vessels. An Act (No. 50 of 1876) has consequently been passed by the Legislature, and reserved by His Excellency the Governor on the 27th October, 1876,. for the assent of Her Majesty the Queen. 47. -The above-mentioned Act deals with the subject of investigations only, but the Marine Board Act generally requires amendment. A Bill has been drafted and is now in type. I therefore strongly recommend the Government to give this matter their earliest possible atten tion, as in several respects (the storage of dan gerous explosives referred to in another place, forjinstance), the matters requiring legislation are most urgent. EHGINEEB, STOVEYOB, AND ESAMISBK OF \ ? ENGINEERS. 48. This officer reports that his duties have increased to the extent of 50 per cent, within tb6 last two years, and suggests the advisa blene8S of appointing an Assistant-Surveyor to take up the Murray River duties, for the pur pose of relieving him of the large steam fleet now trading on the river. He also reports that his duties in connection with Port Adelaide suffer in consequence of his being so much away. 49. Since the Treasurer decided that masters and owners should not bear the cost of the Engineer's travelling expenses to and from the Murray ports, Surveyors are now requested to attend every small craft that may require sur veying; whereas formerly, when the ship masters paid the travelling expenses, three or four would arrange so that one visit by the officers would suffice. 50. If this arrangement ie to be continued I am of opinion that the travelling allowances now paid by the Government to the Engineer and Shipwright Surveyors will almost cover the cost of a resident Assistant Surveyor who should be capable of performing the combined duties of Engineer and Shipwright Surveyor. I therefore urgently recommend that steps be taken to pro vide such assistance as early as possible. EXAMINER OF MASTERS AND MATES, AXSOj SHIPWRIGHT SURVEYOR. 51. The same difficulty arises in the case of this officer as with the Engineer-Surveyor. The frequent absence of the Examiner in connection with the River Murray boats has been the means of driving away to other ports many of those persons who wished to pass the necessary examinations to enable them to obtain certifi cates as masters and mates. 52. After representations from all the colonies, the Board of Trade have thought tit to sub stitute for the obnoxious regulation requiring masters and mates, before receiving certificates, to be resident in one colony for three years an aniendt-d clause, demanding only a cumulative domicile of three years in any of the colonies.

The former rule was most oppressive and b jre heavily on both masters and mates. MBBCAOTILB XAKIKB OFFICE. 53. In my report of last year I drew attention to the necessity that existed for appointing some one to qualify himself for taking up the work in this important office. Mr. Magraith, the able Superintendent, is now getting up in yeara, and has been absent on several occasions from illness during the last twelve months. 54. There has been a very large increase of Mercantile Marine business during the last two years, keeping the Superintendent and his clerk very fully occupied. The monthly corre spondence with the Board of Trade alone is at times very voluminous. An older head than that of a shrth-class clerk is necessary to furnish the information required by that body. 55. I am of opinion that it is necessary and desirable, and therefore strongly recommend the appointment of an officer with some considerable knowledge ^of nautical matters who could occupy the position of Superintendent in the event of Mr. Magraith being incapacitated. Otherwise serious complications will certainly ensue. HAEINE BOARD OFFICES. 56. The complaints preferred last year with regard to the offices now occupied by the Board can only be reiterated. I am, however, glad to [earn that instructions have been given to the Government Architect to prepare plans and specifications for a suite of new offices, to be erected on the site of the old Custom-House, uear the Telegraph Station and Post-Office. This position being so centrally situated will, I feel sure, be fully appreciated by those having business to transact with the Marine Board Department. j TONNAGE. 57. The ? total foreign and intercolonial ? tonnage of vessels; for the whole colony during the year was (approximately) 346,312 ; tons inwards and 358,377 tons outwards; against 316,823 tons inwards and 294,558 tons outwards for 1875. (See Appendix I.) -''? The, failure of the wheat crop has had a marked influence on the amount of tonnage in harbour. .- '? 58.' It, will be seen by Appendix J Jthat during the year there was a decrease in the number of ships built in the colony amounting to- five vessels and 604 tons as compared 'with 1875 ; and that to the merchant shipping owned in the province, 27 vessels and 2,708 tons were . added, making at the end of the year a total of 220 ships and 25,574 tons. : : ; ; . / INNER HARBOTJR. . t;. '59. By private enterprise a large extent of new wharf frontage is now completed, and a considerable length, in addition, is being rapidly pushed forward. Steps should at once be taken by the Harbour Engineer to deepen the ap proaches leading thereto, otherwise these wharfs will be useless^ except for vessels of small tonnage. If steam cannot be applied, spoonbarges, although most costly, should, I think, be resorted to. 60. A patent slip or graving dock for ships of large tonnage is a matter which is of conside rable importance to the development of Port Adelaide, and cannot be much longer delayed. 61. The erection of a powerful hydraulic steam crane for discharging 'heavy machinery should also receive early consideration. I am of opinion that Queen's Wharf is theimost eligible site, that could be obtained for such a machine ; and, as the lease of this wharf falls in during the current year, the question of a site for this purpose should not be overlooked. . . 62. As the Maclaren Wharf is a great obstruc tion to the navigation of the Inner Harbour, it has long been felt desirable to have it removed at any cost ; but as some doubts have been enter tained as to the validity of the South Australian Company's title to such, wharf frontage, i it is of importance that the matter should, be looked into, now that harbour accommodation is being considered. ; LIFEBOATS. ; 63. The MacDonnell Bay lifeboat has been regularly exercised during the past year, and on two occasions the valuable services of boat and crew have been the means of saving IS valuable lives — four from the barque Agnes, totally wrecked at or near the Carpenter Rocks ; and the whole crew, ' consisting of 12 hands, from the French barque St. Marc, wrecked to the eastward of MacDonnell Bay. The lifeboat's services were also called into requisition when the schooner Countess was wrecked in MacDonnell Bay. It was, however, found to be impracticable to get near her, as the heavy seas had washed her to a considerable height on the reef. Ultimately the crew were all taken off by +wo boats from shore. 64.. At GuicnenBay I regret to be unable to report favourably, as the old difficulty exists in getting a crew together. There are not suitable '?-hands enough in the township to man her, and for. the Harbour-master to go into the bush' to i muster men to form a crew does away with that perfect efficiency which ought to exist for the proper management of such a service. 65. At Port Victor the want of a sufficient crew has been for some time past and is now greatly felt. The boat has only been exercised five times during last year. 66. As an inducement for a more frequent and willing attendance of men to form a life boat crew, arrangements at the beginning of the year were made for exercise at least every six weeks ; but as this does not appear to have the full effect contemplated, I now urgently recom mend that monthly exercise take place. 67. The Semaphore lifeboat was exercised six times during the past year. The severance of this department from the Dockyard has, how ever, prevented the full exercise taking place, as all ? the crew were regular Government em ployes. A fresh crew has been mustered, and regular exercise will commence at once. 68. Now that a signal station is erected at the Murray-mouth, I strongly advise that the lifeboat recently built for the survey of that embouchure be transferred to the Marine Department, in order that it may be kept in readiness in case of casualties occurring in that locality. ' ! ROCKHT APPARATUS. 60. The rocket apparatus has been cleaned and the crew exercised monthly during the year at the following stations, viz.: — Yankalilla, Victor Harbour, Willunga, Streaky Bay, Guichen Bay, and Port MacDonnell ; also at Flinders, Sturt, and Cape Jaffa Lighthouses. 70. Two new sets of rocket apparatus were obtained from England during the year, and are similar to those now in use on the coasts of Great Britain. Their efficiency is double that of the kind hitherto used here. One set is stationed at MacDonnell Bay, and the other is intended for Port Robe. A further indent has been forwarded to London for another set, which is expected to arrive shortly. STEAM-LAUNCH FOR MARINE DEPARTMENT. 71. Since the transfer of the deepening operations to the Engineer of Harbours and Jetties this department has greatly felt the want of a steam-launch for carrying on- its duties in a satisfactory manner— duties which ho one outside the department has any knowledge of. The act of having to apply to the Engineer of Harbours and Jetties through the Treasurer for a launch is simply a waste of valuable time. I feel confident that there is no Marine Depart ment in the neighbouring provinces,or any other British colony, in the same miserable plight, for at present we are only possessed of a fifteen foot dingy and a Governor's gig without a crew to Iran her. 72. If one be required to land a distinguished stranger from the mailboats, and the weather is any way rough, there is nothing but the- Mar garet ; and she, with wear and tear in towing silt, &c, is never in a fit state to send on such service/ It Is' only in the finest weather that tbe'Dione can venture to Glenelg. 73. During Mr. Colton's last tenuro of office as Treasurer a special steam pump was ordered, capable cf throwing 10,000 gallons of water in an hour. This was intended to be placed in the launch Margaret (then under the Board's con trol), for the purpose of enabling her to run alongside of any ship in the Poit, either at the wharfs or in the stream, that might unfor tunately be on fire. Now that the Board have the pump, they have no launch to put it in. This state of matters is not creditable, and I most respectfully suggest that the Marine Department be supplied with a small launch fur their own service. I feel sure that the Harbour Engineer trill be only too glad to get rid of the frequent cUls from the Marine Board for the use of a launch for their various duties, as I have no donbt that they are not infrequently taken away when required for purposes in connection with deepening operations. OFFICERS. 74. I have much pleasure in recording the hearty co-operation (during the past year) re ceived from all officers who were and now are in this department. I cannot, however, refrain from expressing my opinion that the frequent changes and transfers of officers which take place are most prejudicial to the best interests of the service generally; and if arrangements could be made to induce officers to remain in one department, I feel sure it would be to the advantage of the whole service. I have, &c, E. H. Ferguson, President Marine Board. To the Hon. the Treasurer, Adelaide. HAJtBOURS AND JETTIE3. Mr. Formbt, in reference to the first para graph in the report stating that as the deepen ing operations had been transferred from the

Ifftrine Board Department to that of the Engineer of Harbours and' Jetties, it wag~ un necessary to comment thereon, said ha questioned whether the public thoroughly understood the pressnt position of affairs in con nection with the above arrangement. He fancied they were under the impression that the Engi neer of Harbours and Jetties acted under the Board's supervision, and not independently. It was as well that the true state of affairs should be completely understood. With some little experience in the working of Marine Boards he could say that he did not know of a single other instance where such an important branch as that of harbour deepening and jetty (Forks was conducted by one man who acted independently of nautical authorities. In every instance he knew of the Engineer of Harbours and Jetties was under the control of some Trust or Marine Board. He thought it the duty of the Board to bring the matter before the public, either through the Chamber of Com merce or in some other feasible way, as it was a matter that affected the interests of the general community. He maintained that it was not conducive to the proper carrying out of the work in connection with marine interests that me man should have such important works as those connected with deepening of harbours and erecting jetties in his own hands without being under the advice of men of nautical experience —proper nautical authorities. The question should be thoroughly ventilated. He under stood the private members of the Board had already written to the Treasurer on the subject, but no answer had been received. He considered thkt it was not only working against the welfare ofj the country, but that the innovation was illegal. There was an Act that defined the duties of the Board, and no Minister or Ministry haol power to take off the burden of those duties without first repealing the Act. He considered the remark made by the President in his report perfectly right and proper, and as he believed the public were not quite clear upon the position inj which the Engineer of Harbours and Jetties stood with the Board, but believed he was uuder the control of that body, they should be made aware of their error. He had nothing to say against Mr. Hickson, who he had no doubt was a first-class man, but he was not a proper authority in his present position. in reference to the deepening operations at P-jrt Pirie the President said he had not been consulted upon it. The first intimation he had of- the operations there came from an outsider. Captain Smith said he earnestly wished that the Board might know positively what its duties really were. They should be defined, for they were very vague under present circumstances. H^ read the following extract from a memo, defining the position and responsibility of the Engineer of Harbours and Jetties -l and the general management of harbour works : — ^ The Marine Board to be consulted and to report in all cases of projected jetties, lighthouses, or harbour improvements, with regard to situation, orfler of light, nature and extent of sach works. Monthly returns to be furnished showing the progress and state of the several undertakings, and Marine Board to be advised through the Treasurer.' * -The Secretary said a return of the deepening operations at Port Pirie and Port Adelaide was received at last meeting of the Board. ;, - MOONTA BAY JETTY. Mr. Formby said this jetty was in the wrong place, and it was a mistake from the very first. It' was put up without reference to the Board, or rather the President was sent down to re port, and on arrival found that the works had been begun. The people of Port Pirie would wait until the jetty was lengthened and then complain of its being in the wrong place. ' Captain Tapxby suggested that a Committee should be appointed to inspect and report as to' whether the best course would be to lengthen the jetty or put up another one on a better' sife.'' LIGHTING THE 8OTJTH NBPTTNB. ' ' . Mr. Formby protested against the lighting of the South Neptune Mand, and said the very fact of the mail steamer coming between 'the islands on a dark night was a proof that' a light there was not wanted. In the first place the light was not needed ; in the second, if one -was put up it would have to be a first-class light, and the expense would be very great. No careful navigator would fail to ? give the island a wide berth. He entirely opposed the lighting of the Neptunes.' ' ' - ' Captain Ferguson said he only put the clause in the report as a suggestion, and he looked at the matter from a nautical point of view, as he considered that there could not be tod many lights in the Gulf. They could be so varied in colour and character as to' prevent mistakes. ' ' ? ; ? Captain Tafxey thought that the fact of the mail 'Steamer coming between the islands showed that she did not know where she was. . Mr. Formby said she may have known her position.* Captain Taplby said he was in favour of a light being placed oh the Neptunes, and it was the more needed as a new line of steamers, which would . probably run every fortnight, would be put on, and the Marine Board could not be too careful of the interests of mariners. It jwas their duly to give every facility; for navigating South Australian waters. Lirge steamers : might : ; come here ofteher i from' England. ??? . ?_ ..' s . = The President repeated his remark. with reference to the insertion of the clause, and said he threw aut the suggestion as it was a question' of importance to make the navigation of our waters as free from, danger as possible. * After, some further discussion of a conversa tional character the report was adopted, and the meeting adjourned. . \ ??»