H.—29.

1877. NEW ZEALAND.

TWELFTH REPORT OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE, 1877.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

Office of the Commissioner of Customs, My Loed,— Wellington, sth October, 1877. I do myself the honor to submit herewith, for the information of your Excellency and the Legislature of New Zealand, the Twelfth Annual Report of the operations of the Marine Department, and the financial and other statements and returns connected therewith, being for the year ended on the 30th June last. I have, &c, To His Excellency the Most Honorable Geo. McLean, the Marquis of Normanby, K.C.M.G., &c, Ac, Commissioner of Customs. Governor of New Zealand.

REPORT. Customs Department (Marine Branch), Sir,— AVellington, 4th October, 1877. I have the honor to submit the following report on the working of the Marine Department for the year ended 30th June last: — Lighthouses —On the Ist September, 1876, Cape Foulwind Light was exhibited for, the first time. It is a second-order dioptric revolving light, attaining its greatest brilliancy every half-minute. The lamps at Cape Campbell, Taiaroa Head, Nugget Point, and Dog Island, have had burners fitted to suit them for the consumption of paraffin oil; new lamps for paraffin have been procured for Nelson, and lamps of the same kind ordered for Godley Head. In a short time the only lights burning colza oil will be Tiri Tiri and Pencarrow Head ; and it is proposed to order paraffin lamps for these at an early date. I regret to have to report the death, on the 11th November, 1876, of Mr. George Smith Hand, late Principal Keeper at Cape Foulwind, and at the end of June last, of his son, late AssistantKeeper at Nelson; both were good and trustworthy officers. These deaths are the first which have occurred in the New Zealand Lighthouse Service. New Lighthouses. —l attach hereto a report by the Marine Engineer on the works in connection with lighthouses which have been executed under his directions during the past year. In addition to the lights referred to in Mr. Blackett's report, I would mention that second-order revolving lighthouse apparatus have been ordered for Cape Saunders and Akaroa Head. The light originally ordered for Tory Channel (but not required at that place owing to the erection of a light on the Brothers) it was at one time intended to place at Hokitika; but that intention had to be abandoned in order to meet the more pressing necessity for placing it at Moeraki, where a light w-as urgently required to guide vessels away from the dangerous reefs lying off that part of the coast. Store for Lighthouse Supplies. —-In my last report I referred to the necessity that existed for a store for the use of the Marine Department, and I feel it to be my duty again to urge upon the Government tho necessity for having a building erected in which lighthouse stores, oil, and other requisites can be kept, and whore the stores for the lighthouses can be carefully packed for distribution. So long ago as May, 1869, the late Mr. Balfour also represented that a building for this purpose was required. At that time the department was only charged with the supervision of seven lights, but now there are fifteen, besides six in course of erection and three new ones ordered. It will at once, I think, be admitted that if a store was considered necessary in 1869, there can be no question that it is now absolutely indispensable; and I earnestly trust that the Government will authorize a building for this purpose to be provided. Lighthouse Bues. —The light dues collected at the various ports of the colony during the past financial year amounted to £11,035 4s. 2d., being £403 18s. 2d. less than the amount received in the previous year. I—H. 29.