#ahia4 ,,queensland4 ,,report ,,on ,,the ,,department ,,of ,,ports ,,and ,,harbours ,,for ,,the ,,year #ahij-ia4 ,presented to both ,houses of ,parliament by ,command4 ,,to ,,the ,,honourable ,,the ,,colonial ,,treasurer4 ,department of ,ports and ,harbours1 ,brisbane1 #bfth ,august1 #ahia4 ,,sir1--,i have the honour to submit1 for your information1 the following ,report concerning this ,department for the past year3-- ,i assumed charge on the #ast ,july1 #ahij1 and found that the heavy gales and floods experienced in ,january of the same year had most seriously affected several of the dredged cuttings of the ,brisbane1 ,mary1 ,burnett1 and ,fitzroy ,rivers4 ,in some places the ,brisbane ,river had silted up to such an extent that there were fully #ah inches less water than before the flood4 ,this1 however1 only proved a temporary inconvenience1 as the dredges soon restored the cuttings to their original depths4 ,i also found that considerable changes had taken place in the formation of the banks at the northern entrance to ,moreton ,bay1 necessitating the removal--to make the lead effective--of ,tangaluma ,light 7which had only been established in #ahhe71 also the removal 7for the fourth time7 of the ,yellow ,patch ,light1 and the building of two new cottages for the lightkeepers4 ,owing to the encroachment of the sea1 it had also been found necessary to remove ,comboyuro ,point ,lighthouse and the keeper's cottage some #bjj feet further inland4 ,this work was accomplished by the ,inspector1 ,mr4 ,h4 ,l4 ,pethebridge4 ,the floating beacon which marked the northern entrance to the port had been ashore on ,bribie ,island for some time1 but1 during the first interval of settled westerly weather1 she was floated and brought to ,brisbane to be repaired and supplied with new moorings1 after which she was on the #hth ,august replaced in her former position1 and by the end of ,october the works of the ,department generally1 which had suffered in the early portion of the year1 were restored4 ,in ,january and ,february of the present year another series of heavy gales was experienced along the whole coast of the ,colony1 and on the #fth1 #gth1 and #hth of ,june a gale of unusual severity1 accompanied by torrents of rain1 swept along the coast from ,bowen southwards1 causing heavy seas and abnormally high tides4 ,such unfavourable weather1 of course1 occasioned considerable loss to the ,department1 a great number of buoys being driven from their moorings 7some lost altogether71 and beacons and other plant receiving a large amount of damage4 ,,moreton ,,bay ,,and ,,brisbane ,,river4 ,the banks at the northern entrance to ,moreton ,bay are constantly shifting1 and the maintenance of the necessary lights and buoys to enable vessels to enter and clear the port in safety is a source of continual anxiety4 ,the floating beacon1 which had broken adrift during the month of ,february1 disappeared altogether on the #ajth ,march2 and although diligently searched for1 no trace of her has been discovered4 ,two valuable buoys disappeared from the outer banks about the same time4 ,the floating beacon has been replaced by a new second-class 7,trinity pattern7 steel conical buoy1 surmounted with a staff and cage1 the top of which is #ab feet above the water1 forming a most conspicuous object4 ,new buoys have been moored in the positions of those lost4 ,no4 #a cutting1 ,hamilton ,reach1 has now a depth of #ag feet at low water1 spring tides2 and the entrance to the bar cutting is being dredged to a similar depth4 ,the increased depth of water in these cuttings is of considerable importance to vessels of heavy draught4 ,a depth of #ae feet at low water1 spring tides1 is fully maintained in the other cuttings1 but there are several shallow places in the town reaches of the river which require attention4 ,the more recent gales and floods do not appear to have injuriously affected the dredged cuttings of the ,brisbane ,river4 ,several new beacons have been erected to replace those blown down or found defective2 and1 to render them more conspicuous1 heads have been placed on some of the beacons marking the bar cutting4 ,beyond some slight repairs1 now being effected1 all the sea and river marks for the navigation of this port are in good order1 and the various buildings are not likely to require any extensive repairs for some time4 ,the apparatus at the various lighthouses in ,moreton ,bay are in good order1 with the exception of the reflectors at ,cape ,moreton1 which will shortly require re-silvering4 ,this work can be done locally4 ,the sea-pilot steamer ,advance continues to do her work satisfactorily1 and is most usefully employed at her present station4 ,she is only used for towing in cases of emergency1 so that her earnings in that respect are very limited4 ,the ,laura is a most useful vessel1 and is kept fully employed performing the various duties of the ,department4 ,she is1 however1 seventeen years old1 and her hull shows signs of weakness1 although her engines and boiler are in good order4 ,the ,pippo requires a new boiler and certain repairs to her hull4 ,to efficiently carry out the work of the ,department at this port1 ,i find a third steamer indispensable1 as the ,advance must be kept at her station1 and it is impossible for the ,laura to successfully perform all the other work of the ,department2 and should either break down1 a third steamer would be necessary as a relieving vessel4 ,the ,nautical ,surveyor 7,mr4 ,e4 ,a4 ,cullen7 has just finished a survey of the northern half of ,moreton ,bay1 a work which was rendered necessary by the fact that the only chart available for use was one originally published by the ,admiralty in #ahfe1 with corrections inserted at various intervals up to within the last two years1 since which great changes have taken place in the formation of the banks4 ,mr4 ,cullen accomplished the work in the ,pippo in a most satisfactory manner1 in the short space of five months1 and a tracing of the new chart has been transmitted to the ,admiralty for publication4 ,the survey discloses changes of a prejudicial character at the entrance to the ,north or ,howe ,channel1 which has been contracted by the extension of the east bank in a northerly direction about four cables1 and the south-east extreme of the north bank to the eastward1 about three and a half cables1 while to the north-north-east of the north bank a small patch has formed1 having only three fathoms upon it at low water4 ,this patch is only one cable to the westward of the line of lights1 and a continuance of similar growths will render the entrance at night exceedingly difficult1 and probably destroy the utility of the present leading lights4 ,the channel1 however1 at present maintains a depth in its shallowest part of #ba feet at low water1 spring tides4 ,the attached plan shows the position of the line of lights in relation to the three fathom patch and north-west extreme of the east bank4 ,the three and five fathom contours as existing in #ahhf are shown in red1 while their present positions are indicated in black4 ,numerous other changes are shown on the new chart1 but the banks to the westward1 in the vicinity of the north-west channel1 have changed so very little during the last twenty-five years that the channel may be regarded as practically a permanent one4 ,it is the widest1 deepest1 and only permanent approach to ,moreton ,bay1 and vessels of heavy draught1 whose visits are rapidly increasing--including some of ,h4,m4 ships--have now to wait for daylight to enter the port by this channel4 ,it is buoyed for use in the daytime1 and can--when considered necessary--be easily and cheaply lighted for use at night4 ,the approach to ,moreton ,bay by the ,south ,passage should be discouraged1 as the banks move about in a remarkable manner2 and variation in the depth of water and direction of the channels being of frequent occurrence1 it should be attempted only by men possessing good local knowledge1 in vessels of light draught4 ,,wide ,,bay ,,and ,,maryborough4 ,the new channel across ,wide ,bay ,bar1 which was buoyed and lighted in ,july of last year1 maintains its depth and direction4 ,some changes have taken place in ,sandy ,strait1 notably at ,stewart's ,island ,flats1 where the cutting has silted up2 and a new channel to the eastward of the cutting1 carrying a depth of #ah inches more water1 has been beaconed and lighted4 ,the gales and floods experienced during ,january and ,february did very great damage2 and the outlay in replacing lost buoys1 and repairing and replacing beacons1 has been considerable4 ,a perch buoy has been moored at the northern entrance to ,great ,sandy ,strait1 in place of the floating beacon which was sunk on the night of the #ajth ,may last4 ,the work of raising this vessel was commenced1 but had to be abandoned in consequence of heavy weather coming on and ultimately breaking her up4 ,the buoys and beacons are in good order throughout this district4 ,when the cutting at ,horse-shoe ,bend is completed1 there will be a depth of #aj feet at low water1 spring tides1 through all the cuttings in the ,mary ,river1 and vessels drawing #ai feet will be enabled to reach the wharves at ,maryborough4 ,the lightkeeper's cottages at ,woody ,island and one of the cottages at ,inskip ,point require some repairs1 but with those exceptions the domiciles are in good order4 ,the steamer ,llewellyn has been recently surveyed1 and1 beyond the ordinary outlay1 no expenditure is anticipated during the current year4 ,in ,june last this vessel was instrumental in saving the brigantine ,hector1 with eighty lives on board1 from being wrecked on ,breaksea ,spit4 ,in ,great ,sandy ,strait and the ,mary ,river there are no less than #ej lights1 most of which are leading lights burning day and night4 ,these lights keep two steam launches with their crews constantly at work attending to them2 the system is elaborate1 but very costly4 ,,burnett ,,river4 ,the gales and floods in the early part of this year1 and again in ,june last1 caused considerable damage in the river and outside the ,heads1 nearly every buoy being swept from its moorings1 by the velocity of the freshes 7two being lost altogether74 ,several of the beacons were blown down1 and the course of the channel in the ,inner ,bar lead altered so much1 that the leading beacons had to be removed twice4 ,the banks at the entrance to the river have increased in extent1 and changed the course of the channel outside the ,bar1 rendering the approach to the port more intricate4 ,the buoys have been shifted to mark the new channel4 ,the lighthouse at the ,burnett ,heads and the leading beacons in the river are all in good order4 ,the pilot vessel has given much satisfaction since receiving extensive alterations and repairs in ,brisbane last year4 ,the new explosives magazine is found to be a great convenience1 and offers ample accommodation for all requirements4 ,the beacons in the ,kolan ,river1 which were blown down in the ,june gale have been restored4 ,,port ,,curtis4 ,the recent heavy weather has had the effect of altering very much the north channel into ,port ,curtis1 the depth having shallowed from #ah to #aa feet at low water1 spring tides4 ,the inner end of the channel has been contracted by the extension of the north-west end of the east bank west-north-westerly direction1 and the spit off ,oyster ,rock to the southward4 ,these changes have necessitated the removal of the two buoys--formerly marking the entrance--to the inner edge of the east bank and the southern point of the spit off ,gatcombe ,head4 ,heavy deposits of mud have taken place in ,auckland ,creek and the ,calliope ,river1 and it has been found necessary to shift the leading lights to enable vessels to enter the creek in safety4 ,considerable expense has been incurred through the renewals of buoys and beacons occasioned by the floods in ,february last1 almost every buoy being displaced4 ,all the marks are now1 however1 in position again4 ,the light on ,gatcombe ,head and the apparent light on ,oyster ,rock are working satisfactorily1 and the dwelling-houses of the lightkeeper and pilot crew are in very fair order1 only one of them requiring repairs of any consequence4 ,ordinary wear and tear is the only expense likely to be required for the pilot schooner ,enid during the current year4 ,very little progress of any utility has been made in connection with the work of deepening the ,narrows4 ,at ,bustard ,head ,i found the lighthouse1 the two auxiliary lights1 and the domiciles of the superintendent and keepers in excellent order4 ,,rockhampton4 ,the floods of this year have caused no changes of importance in the ,fitzroy ,river4 ,the new channel at ,central ,island--which opened out and was beaconed and lighted this time last year--maintains its depth unassisted by dredging operations1 and appears to be improving4 ,no4 #e cutting is consequently no longer used4 ,a new vessel has replaced the old lightship at the ,upper ,flats4 ,she is considered an efficient and necessary beacon at one of the most rocky curves of the ,fitzroy ,river1 and serves as a domicile for the lightkeepers1 who maintain the lights ashore and afloat for a distance of five miles4 ,tidal signals are also shown from the vessel both day and night4 ,during the year the dwelling-houses of the pilot's staff at ,keppel ,bay and the lightkeepers at ,sea ,hill1 ,balaklava1 and ,brown's ,crossing have been painted throughout2 at the latter station some repairs were also executed4 ,any further expense during the current year is1 therefore1 not likely to be necessary4 ,at ,balaklava the sea is encroaching on the northern foreshore of the island1 but arrangements have been made to deposit some #ejj tons of ballast1 of which a rough dyke will be constructed by the ,harbour ,master's staff4 ,this1 it is anticipated1 will prevent further inroads by the sea4 ,the buildings at ,sea ,hill and at the pilot station are in good order4 ,the ,timandra ,bank lightship requires some repairs1 and the decks want caulking1 which ,i anticipate may be done without removing the vessel from her station4 ,all the buoys and beacons in ,keppel ,bay and the ,fitzroy ,river have had careful attention1 and are in good order4 ,,cape ,,capricorn4 ,the lightkeeper in charge of this station 7,edwin ,biss7 died in ,rockhampton during the year1 and was succeeded by the first assistant 7,james ,aitken74 ,the lighthouse tower is in good order1 but the iron roofing of two of the cottages requires renewal1 being oxidised and full of perforations4 ,,north ,,reef4 ,at this exposed and isolated station ,i found the central structure in sound condition1 but the corrugated iron forming the walls and roof of the circular superstructure round the base of the tower1 and which forms the domicile for the superintendent and lightkeepers1 is very much corroded by the action of the salt water1 necessitating some considerable repairs4 ,during the gale and high tides of ,march last1 the sandbank was entirely submerged1 the sea smashing in the doors and windows1 and flooding the keeper's quarters4 ,the sand1 some #ad feet in depth1 which originally surrounded the building1 has been washed away1 allowing the sea free access to the foundation caisson1 which is down #ad feet into the solid madrepore4 ,i do not1 however1 consider the stability of the structure is depreciated to any extent in consequence4 ,this station1 like ,cape ,capricorn1 is visited by the ,harbour ,master at ,rockhampton once a month4 ,,pine ,,islet4 ,everything here is in good order1 and a gangway ladder has been constructed to facilitate landing at this almost inaccessible rock1 which the ,harbour ,master at ,rockhampton visits every two months4 ,,yeppoon4 ,one small steamer and two or three small craft trade to this place1 the ,department maintaining the necessary marks for navigation4 ,,harrisville 7,,emu ,,park74 ,no vessels except fishing and pleasure boats have been here for some time4 ,a black buoy is1 however1 kept moored off the end of the outer reef4 ,,port ,,bowen4 ,is now only visited by vessels seeking shelter4 ,the wharf is in good order1 but no cattle have been shipped since #ahhg4 ,,broadsound4 ,since ,october last the staff at this port1 which previously consisted of a pilot and three hands1 has been considerably reduced--the coxswain only 7who is also a boatman pilot7 being retained4 ,the trade to the port is merely one small steamer1 making about four trips a year4 ,,port ,,mackay4 ,so far but little improvement in the ,pioneer ,river appears to have resulted from the construction of the stone training walls4 ,raising the wall from ,fisherman's ,bank down stream to its present termination will have a beneficial effect1 and remove the possibility of small vessels--when not under command--resting upon it at high water4 ,its additional height will also prevent the sand 7as in ,february last1 when the sea made a breach through ,east ,point7 from being carried over into the main channel and leaving a deposit of some #ah inches on the top of the wall4 ,the upper stone wall commencing at ,magazine ,island has proved beneficial1 by creating a scour resulting in the removal of the upper flats4 ,at ,east ,point the bar beacons have been removed again 7for the third time in ten years71 in consequence of the continual growth in a south-westerly direction of the extreme end of the sand spit4 ,the older portion of the wooden retaining wall on the south bank of the ,pioneer ,river is in a most unsightly and dilapidated condition1 owing to the combined ravages of white ants and cobra2 the newer portion is also being quickly destroyed from the same cause4 ,the stone retention wall which extends along part of ,river ,street is1 however1 well constructed1 and likely to prove of permanent utility4 ,the buoys and beacons within ,port ,mackay are in an efficient condition1 and the lighthouse at ,flat ,top and dwelling-houses of all the ,department's employees require but few repairs4 ,the steam launch is a useful handy vessel1 and is in good order4 ,,habana ,,creek4 ,to the northward of ,mackay1 is the outlet for all the sugar manufactured on the ,habana ,estate1 which last year amounted to #b1fff tons4 ,the requisite beacons are maintained by the pilot's staff at ,mackay4 ,,cabbage-,,tree ,,creek4 ,to the southward of ,mackay1 is available for small vessels drawing #h or #i feet of water1 and may possibly require beaconing1 as it is likely to be availed of1 in consequence of its close proximity to ,grass-,tree ,mountain1 where gold reefing promises shortly to be in operation4 ,,dent ,,island4 ,as this station ,i found the lighting apparatus working well1 and the tower and cottages in a satisfactory condition4 ,mr4 ,f4 ,walker1 the late lightkeeper in charge1 has been compelled to retire through ill-health1 after a faithful service of twenty-one years4 ,,bowen4 ,i regret to say that ,mr4 ,robert ,findlater1 who has satisfactorily filled the position of pilot at ,bowen for the last twenty-eight years1 died last month4 ,the boatman pilot will in future carry out the duties hitherto performed by ,mr4 ,findlater4 ,the platform of the lighting apparatus at ,north ,head lighthouse requires some repairs1 but the other buildings appear in good order4 ,the wreck of the s4s4 ,wentworth still remains on the rocks to the southward of ,north ,head1 and forms a most efficient beacon4 ,the pilot ketch ,dudley has been recently repaired at ,townsville in a very satisfactory manner4 ,she is a very useful vessel1 making monthly trips to ,dent ,island in addition to her other duties4 ,,cape ,,bowling ,,green4 ,during the last six months the sea has gradually encroached upon the lighthouse and cottages at this station1 quite #aej feet of the bank in front of the lighthouse having disappeared4 ,the sea1 on three occasions1 washed some of the piles from under the superintendent's house4 ,with high spring tides the water touches the base of the lighthouse on the north-west side2 and as the spit to the south-east is now moving away1 it would appear more than probable that if any further encroachment takes place the buildings will be surrounded with water1 when their position will be most critical4 ,there was nothing abnormal in the state of the tide when the greatest encroachment took place1 and the disappearance of the bank which formerly protected the buildings can only be accounted for by the soft and yielding nature of the sand which underlies an apparently hard and compact surface4 ,i visited ,cape ,bowling ,green twice within a month1 and the changes wrought during the interval of my visits were remarkable4 ,on the first occasion a bank of sand #f feet high1 with a row of cocoanut trees about eight years old1 extended some #aej feet in front of the buildings4 ,on my last visit the whole of this bank1 together with the cocoanut trees1 had disappeared1 and the sea at high water was washing under the superintendent's house and within a few feet of the lighthouse4 ,i consulted on the spot with the ,harbour ,master 7,mr4 ,hughes71 the ,inspector 7,mr4 ,pethebridge71 and the ,superintendent 7,mr4 ,cole71 all of whom have been acquainted with the place for the last seventeen or eighteen years1 with the object of selecting a new and more eligible site4 ,such1 however1 does not appear to exist4 ,the lighthouse and apparatus are in good order1 and the cottages1 with the exception of that occupied by the superintendent1 are in fair condition4 ,,cape ,,cleveland4 ,the clockwork requires some slight alterations1 owing to the irregular intervals of revolution2 but1 with that exception1 everything is in satisfactory order4 ,,townsville4 ,no alteration appears to have taken place in the depth of water in ,cleveland ,bay4 ,the damage to the eastern breakwater caused by the cyclone of last year has been repaired1 and the structure has been greatly strengthened4 ,at its outer extremity a massive concrete foundation has been embedded in the masonry1 upon which the lighthouse has been strongly secured4 ,the light is of the #dth order dioptric1 showing a red arc of #bgj deg4 to seaward1 and a white arc of #ij deg41 visible inside the breakwater and to the southward towards ,alligator ,creek4 ,the extension of the western breakwater is also completed1 and from its outer extremity a small green light will be exhibited4 ,the channel into ,ross ,creek1 dredged in #ahhi to a depth of #aj feet at low water1 has silted up in places below the ,harbours and ,rivers' ,wharf to #e-a_/b feet2 above that it retains its depth4 ,inside the breakwater1 and at the entrance between the piers1 dredging is being proceeded with1 and it will be a great advantage to the shipping visiting the port when the dredging along the inside of the eastern breakwater is completed4 ,it is proposed to erect semaphores for exchanging communications between the signal station and ,bay ,rock lighthouse1 flag signals being frequently indistinguishable4 ,the lighthouse at ,bay ,rock is well maintained4 ,the steam launch is very useful1 but rather small for the work she has to perform4 ,the buoys and beacons in ,cleveland ,bay are now in good repair1 several renewals having been necessary during the past year4 ,all the property of the ,department appears to be well looked after1 and in an efficient state4 ,the new relieving lightship built at ,townsville was finished last ,april4 ,after being fitted with two new #eth order dioptric lights--which1 being exhibited from the same lantern1 show a powerful fixed light--she was towed up in ,july to relieve the ,channel ,rock lightship1 which had been thirteen years at her moorings4 ,the latter vessel has been brought to ,townsville for repairs4 ,,barratta ,,and ,,alligator ,,creeks4 ,have required rebeaconing throughout4 ,the trade to the latter creek is increasing1 as the ,meat-preserving ,works have recommenced operations4 ,,plantation ,,creek4 ,the necessary beacons and leading lights are maintained4 ,,dungeness4 ,at this port much damage was done by the gales in the early part of the year4 ,the beach which formerly protected the pilot station buildings has been greatly encroached upon by the sea1 and at one time fears were entertained for the safety of the dwelling-houses4 ,happily1 however1 the only damage done was the destruction of the boatshed and the loss of a few stores4 ,the ,custom-house and telegraph station1 which adjoin the pilot station1 are being removed to a new site2 and ,i think it advisable that the pilot station should also be removed1 as1 with a renewal of last year's weather1 the buildings may be lost altogether4 ,the destruction to buoys and beacons was very great1 and the approaches to the ,herbert ,river have altered very much4 ,all damage to buoys and beacons has been made good1 and the channels1 which retain their former depths1 re-marked4 ,,snagging ,,punt4 ,snagging has been carried on during the year in the ,johnstone1 ,seymour1 ,herbert1 and ,nind ,rivers4 ,the results1 however1 were not satisfactory1 it being difficult to control the operations of the men4 ,a local trust has been appointed to carry out the work1 and better results may be anticipated4 ,,mourilyan ,,harbour4 ,the trade to this port is now confined to the visit of a small steamer twice a week4 ,the necessary beacons and lights are maintained by the ,department4 ,,johnstone ,,river4 ,has1 like mostly all the other ports1 suffered from the effects of gales and floods4 ,the amount of damage was1 however1 comparatively trifling1 and confined to the blowing down of a few inexpensive beacons4 ,the approach to the river has altered its direction1 and the leading lights and beacons on ,flying ,fish ,point have been moved to indicate the course in1 which is now ,n4 ,w4 by ,w4 #c_/d ,w41 while formerly it was ,w4 #c_/d ,n4 ,the houses at the pilot station and the pilot cutter are in good order4 ,,cairns4 ,the new cutting into ,cairns harbour was completed last year1 giving a depth of #ac feet at low water1 spring tides1 and leading lights and beacons have been established to render the cutting easily navigable by night as well as by day4 ,the dredged channel has stood remarkably well2 only a slight silting up has been recently reported near the third pile4 ,this spot1 however--upon inquiry--appears never to have been dredged4 ,a new staff for the outer leading light has been erected1 and the buoys and beacons are fully maintained4 ,the largest coasting steamers now enter and leave the port in safety4 ,the beacons in the ,barron and ,mulgrave ,rivers are attended to by the staff at ,cairns1 and are at present in their proper positions4 ,my predecessor suggested that a lightship should be placed near the ,fairway ,buoy to mark the entrance to the dredged cutting1 and as a guide for vessels visiting the port1 as well as to exhibit the necessary tidal signals4 ,a light-vessel or--what would be cheaper--a small fixed pile-light on the ,trotter-,lindberg principle--would certainly be a great advantage4 ,the pilot boat1 dwelling-houses1 boatshed1 and all property of the ,department is well looked after4 ,,low ,,island ,,lighthouse4 ,the lighthouse and buildings on this island are kept in a very orderly way1 and apparently no outlay will be necessary for some time4 ,the ,harbour ,master at ,port ,douglas visits the station once a month4 ,,port ,,douglas4 ,the buoys and beacons are in good order1 but the lighthouse requires a new balcony and door4 ,the buoys and beacons at the ,daintree and ,mossman ,rivers are maintained by the staff at ,port ,douglas1 but the trade at the present time is very limited4 ,,cooktown4 ,during the past year the swinging basin has been dredged1 which considerably increases the anchorage accommodation at this port4 ,the pilot vessel ,governor ,cairns has been recently repaired and remetalled1 and consequently will require no further outlay for some time4 ,she is principally employed in attending to the beacons in the ,inner ,route to ,torres ,straits1 and conveying stores to the lighthouses at ,archer ,point and ,rocky ,islet4 ,the harbour plant1 buildings1 buoys1 beacons1 and the lighthouse and signal station on ,grassy ,hill are well cared for1 and in good order4 ,two new buoys were supplied last year4 ,,lightships4 ,the new relieving light-vessel is now stationed at ,channel ,rock1 and1 as she was provided with a new and complete equipment1 no outlay will be necessary for her maintenance for some time4 ,the ,claremont ,island lightship had a thorough overhaul two years ago4 ,she is kept in excellent order1 and requires no outlay4 ,the ,piper ,island lightship will be the next vessel to be relieved4 ,the metal on her bottom is becoming thin1 and the caulking in her topsides defective4 ,after a careful examination ,i consider she may remain another year or eighteen months at her station4 ,the repairs necessary in the meantime are unimportant4 ,,beacons1 ,,inner ,,route4 ,these are now in an efficient state1 the heavy weather of the pant year having occasioned considerable damage1 two expensive beacons having to be renewed altogether4 ,,thursday ,,island4 ,the timber portion of the jetty was finished last year1 and the ,t end is now being slowly proceeded with1 the velocity of the tide rendering the performance of the work very difficult4 ,when complete it will be a great convenience to large steamers1 not exceeding #bb feet draught of water1 which will be able to lie alongside4 ,the buoys and beacons are well maintained1 but there are at present no leading lights for guiding vessels into the port at night-time4 ,this want is often a source of great detention and loss to vessels visiting the port1 and many complaints have been made in consequence4 ,arrangements can easily be made to provide leading lights2 and as their maintenance would not require any addition to the present staff1 the outlay would be very moderate4 ,the lighthouse and signal station at ,goode ,island are in a very efficient state1 but the tramway for getting oil and stores from the beach 7some #a1ajj feet in length7 is quite past repair1 and requires renewal4 ,it is proposed to put iron instead of wooden rails1 as being more economical in the end4 ,at the pilot station everything is in order1 no outlay for repairs being necessary4 ,the pilot cutter ,lizzie ,jardine has been relieved by the cutter ,eileen1 recently repaired at ,cooktown4 ,,proudfoot ,,shoal ,,lightship4 ,when ,i visited this vessel ,i found that the heavy weather experienced during the last north-west monsoon had caused her to ride heavily1 and that her decks forward had1 as a consequence1 strained a little4 ,the necessary repairs are being effected by one of the crew1 who is a practical shipwright4 ,i propose in future to keep a carpenter in lieu of a seaman on each light-vessel4 ,,normanton4 ,the dredged cuttings at the mouth of the ,norman were completed on #bjth ,september1 #ahij1 when the necessary beacons and leading lights were erected1 and all the works of the ,department were in good order until the #bdth ,february last1 when the ,gulf of ,carpentaria was visited by a gale of great violence1 accompanied by unusually high seas4 ,vessels anchored at the ,norman ,bar dragged considerably1 although riding with both anchors down4 ,the damage to the harbour works was very great4 ,all the beacons at the mouths of the ,norman and ,albert ,rivers were displaced1 some being destroyed altogether4 ,the lightship parted her cable1 and was carried about #ijj feet above ordinary high-water mark on the ,bynoe beach1 and two of the ,department's boats were smashed4 ,the dredged cuttings into the ,norman ,river have stood very well1 considering the gales and floods experienced during the year1 for1 except at one place near the second black buoy in the outer cutting1 hardly any change is perceptible4 ,at the place indicated1 however1 the channel for about #djj feet has silted up some #ah inches4 ,since the weather has become settled no further alteration has taken place4 ,the buoys and beacons have been restored to a state of efficiency1 but the lightship is still on shore4 ,as she does not appear to have received much damage1 a contract has been let for floating and taking her to ,karumba4 ,after the ,vigilant returned to ,normanton from ,thursday ,island1 where she had been relieving the ,albatross1 she required a number of repairs which were executed1 and she is now in fair condition4 ,,general4 ,the trade to several of the ports having considerably diminished1 ,i have as vacancies occurred1 been able to recommend reductions in the staff by #ac officers and men1 which will effect an annual saving of ,l#a1icb1 without in any way impairing the efficiency of the ,department4 ,having visited all the lighthouses on the ,queensland coast1 ,i find the sites upon which the structures are erected have been selected with great care and judgment1 and the illuminating apparatus of the most modern description 7excepting ,cape ,moreton1 which1 however1 shows an excellent light71 and supplied principally by the eminent lighthouse engineers1 ,messrs4 ,chance ,bros41 of ,birmingham4 ,additional #ast or #bnd order lights are not necessary at present1 but in the ,inner ,route and ,torres ,strait much time is lost by the mail and other large steamers through having to anchor at night4 ,steam vessels are fast superseding sailing vessels1 and their number passing along this coast increases every month1 which will soon render additional lights necessary4 ,pintsch's gas for beacons1 buoys1 and light-vessels is being adopted to a great extent in ,europe1 ,asia1 ,america1 and the ,suez ,canal4 ,in the colony of ,victoria ,pintsch's gas buoys are also in use4 ,it possesses great advantages1 owing to the cheapness of first cost and to the fact that no outlay is necessary for lightkeepers1 as the light burns from six weeks to two months without attention4 ,this system of lighting is admirably adapted for use in the ,inner ,route and for the shifting channels at the entrance to ,moreton ,bay4 ,several lightships with their crews have been recently dispensed with in ,france1 and gas buoys substituted4 ,another cheap and very effective light1 the ,trotter ,lindberg1 is being introduced into the lighting system of ,europe4 ,this light is produced by burning paraffin or lythene oil in a specially designed apparatus4 ,with the latter the light burns #ad days1 and with the former #g days without attention4 ,a special feature of the apparatus is that an intermittent light is produced by the automatic action of a screen1 which is made to revolve by the ascent of the heated air produced by the light4 ,to mark the outer end of a cutting or narrow channel1 the ,trotter-,lindberg light might be utilised instead of a lightship4 ,a lantern1 with optical apparatus complete1 costs about ,l#ajj to ,l#abe in ,london4 ,,sunken ,,wrecks4 ,disfigure several of our rivers1 and are not only a source of danger to navigation1 but are liable to cause deposits which may hereafter render dredging necessary4 ,i have endeavoured--without success--to find owners for the vessels referred to4 ,ownership has evidently been transferred from one to another with the intention of evading the responsibility of raising or removing the wrecks4 ,some legislation is needed on this subject4 ,the steamer ,settler was removed from the river bank at ,bulimba in ,february last1 the lowest tender for the work being ,l#ajj4 ,,wrecks ,,and ,,casualties4 ,a tabulated statement is attached hereto1 giving particulars of the wrecks and casualties to shipping on our coast for the year ending #cjth ,june last4 ,happily no loss of life has been the result4 ,nor have the crews suffered much hardship1 being in most cases rescued by means of their own boats4 ,,water ,,police4 ,good work has been done by the ,town ,water ,police1 all their vigilance being required to prevent breaches of the ,port ,regulations4 ,,universal ,,system1 ,,buoys ,,and ,,beacons4 ,the system as recommended by the ,international ,maritime ,conference at ,washington1 the ,life-saving ,appliances ,act1 the new ,load ,line ,act1 and the ,report of the ,bulkhead ,committee are having the special attention of the ,marine ,board1 and will be dealt with as soon as possible4 ,,tree-,,planting ,,on ,,islands ,,and ,,reefs4 ,the pilot vessels at ,broadsound1 ,mackay1 ,townsville1 and ,cooktown have been frequently utilised during the last twelve months in conveying cocoanut and other trees1 to the various islands and reefs adjacent to our coast1 where they have been planted1 and the lightkeepers in the neighbourhood have been instructed to protect the young plants as far as possible4 ,tree culture1 especially the cocoanut--for which the coral islands form congenial homes--is important1 not only commercially1 but as contributing to the safety of navigation1 the existence of trees rendering the outlying islands and reefs more conspicuous1 and are more serviceable than beacons4 ,as an article of food1 the cocoanuts would prove invaluable to shipwrecked crews4 ,those planted on some of the islands are thriving well1 especially some #bjj young plants on the ,lizard ,islands4 ,the trees that have been planted recently require protection in some way1 or they will disappear1 as did the fully-matured trees which existed some years ago on the ,frankland ,islands4 ,,fisheries4 ,the revenue derived from the ,oyster ,fisheries has increased in a substantial manner during the past year4 ,this is owing to the large number of banks which have been licensed in ,rodd's ,harbour1 and also the successful sale of dredge sections in ,moreton ,bay4 ,banks at the ,flinders ,group1 ,princess ,charlotte ,bay1 have also been licensed1 the oysters being sent to ,normanton and ,burketown4 ,on my recent ,northern trip ,i visited ,flinders ,group1 and saw indications of what may develop into a large industry1 not only in connection with edible oysters1 but with pearl oysters1 several samples of which were shown to me4 ,the quantity and value of oysters exported from ,brisbane and ,maryborough up to #cjth ,june last were as per following table1 viz43-- ,,brisbane4 ,year ,no4 of ,bags4 ,value4 ,l #ahgj #d1ebc #a1fdd #ahga #e1abg #a1fbe #ahgb #d1jfj #a1dbg #ahgc #c1jcf #gfh #ahgd #c1iab #a1gjd #ahge #e1cdi #b1fbb #ahgf #f1fdh #b1gib #ahgg #b1gcf #a1fci #ahgh #a1gij #a1bbg #ahgi #c1gic #b1gbi #ahhj #e1bic #c1dge #ahha #g1eei #f1aec #ahhb #i1iec #i1jgd #ahhc #h1hgh #g1cdb #ahhd #h1bef #h1dge #ahhe #h1jgf #h1jid #ahhf #g1eab #h1ecc #ahhg #g1afg #h1bdj #ahhh #f1aia #g1faf #ahii #f1gia #ac1cfh #ahij #ab1ijf #ae1iha #ahia;,a #h1gai #aa1cha ,footnote ,a3 six months ,,maryborough4 ,year ,no4 of ,bags4 ,value4 ,l #ahhg #a1fib #a1ifg #ahhh #a1iij #c1cbf #ahhi #a1iad #c1fgg #ahij #c1beg #f1ehj #ahia;,a #a1hfi #c1edb ,footnote ,a3 six months ,the revenue received on account of ,oyster ,fisheries for the year ending #cjth ,june1 #aiha1 was as follows3-- ,brisbane 444 444 444 444 444 444 444 444,l#d1cfj #ag #i ,maryborough 444 444 444 444 444 444 444 #hge #aj #j ,gladstone 444 444 444 444 444 444 444 #djj #j #j ,rockhampton 444 444 444 444 444 444 444 #b #j #j ,thursday ,island 7,flinders ,group7 444 444 #g #j #j --------------- ,total ,l#e1fde #g #i ,the number of men and boats employed in connection with the oyster industry in ,moreton ,bay are--men #hb1 boats #cf2 and the number of banks worked are #bda4 ,licenses for catching fish at this port have been issued as follows for the current year3--,europeans1 #ii men and #df boats2 ,chinese1 #cb men and #af boats4 ,attached hereto is the ,inspector's ,report on the ,oyster and other ,fisheries in the ,maryborough district4 ,i have1 c1 ,t4 ,m4 ,,almond1 ,portmaster and ,chairman ,marine ,board4 ,,casualties ,,to ,,vessels on the ,,queensland ,,coast for the year ended #cjth ,june1 #ahia4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- ,t o ,name n ,nature and ,total of n ,date4 ,locality of or ,lives ,result of ,vessel4 a ,casualty4 ,partial ,lost4 ,inquiry4 g ,loss4 e ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- #ad ,stranding1 ,taldora1 #bcb ,july ,eagle ,rock1 ,partial ,none ,master s4s4 #ahij ,fitzroy ,river cautioned4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- #bj ,stranding1 ,pilot's license ,archer1 #fid ,july ,m ,reef1 ,partial ,none suspended s4s4 #ahij ,inner ,route #c months4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- #bb ,stranding1 ,changsha1 #adfc ,july ,rattray ,island1 ,partial ,none ,master severely s4s4 #ahij ,inner ,route censured4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- #jf ,stranding1 ,volga1 #afbj ,august ,beresford ,shoal ,total ,none ,no default4 barque #ahij ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- ,grace #ab ,stranding1 ,lynn1 #ic ,august reef off ,partial ,none ,master ,guilty2 schr4 #ahij ,low ,island gross negligence4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- #bb ,stranding1 ,joseph1 #fhg ,august ,heroine ,reef1 ,total ,none ,foreign vessel4 barque #ahij ,endeavour ,strait ,no inquiry4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- ,royal #bb ,foundering1 ,duke1 #aje ,august ,cooktown ,partial ,none ,no default4 schr4 #ahij ,harbour ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- ,jennie #ba ,scott1 #ch ,september ,stranding1 ,total ,none ,no default4 ketch #ahij ,flora ,reef ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- #ad ,collision1 ,pilot's license ,taiyuan1 #bbfi ,october ,brisbane ,partial ,none suspended for s4s4 #ahij ,river #c months4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- #ji ,fire1 ,corea1 #chb ,november ,brisbane ,partial ,none ,no default4 s4s4 #ahij ,river ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- #aa ,collision1 ,insufficient ,kate1 #adg ,november ,brisbane ,total ,none lookout on s4s4 #ahij ,bar ,burwah4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- #aa ,collision1 ,insufficient ,burwah1 #efh ,november ,brisbane ,partial ,none lookout on s4s4 #ahij ,bar ,burwah4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- ,maori #jh ,stranding1 ,king1 #bdgf ,december ,brisbane ,partial ,none ,no default4 s4s4 #ahij ,river ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- ,orange #ae ,stranding1 ,grove1 #che ,december ,dungeness ,partial ,none ,no default4 barque #ahij ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- #ah ,stranding1 ,fiado1 #ihe ,december ,brisbane ,partial ,none ,no default4 s4s4 #ahij ,river ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- #jg ,dismasting off ,sybil1 #aej ,january ,double ,island ,partial ,none ,no default4 schr4 #ahia ,point ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- ,persever- #jh ,foundering #ah ,master's ance1 #afc ,january miles from ,high ,total ,none certificates schr4 #ahia ,peak ,point cancelled4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- #jh ,damage to ,engineer's ,wawoon1 #ej ,january boiler1 ,partial ,none certificate s4s4 #ahia ,fitzroy ,river suspended #c months4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- #je ,stranding1 ,kingswear1 #bja ,february ,cordelia ,rock ,partial ,none ,master s4s4 #ahia cautioned4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- #jf ,stranding1 ,recorder1 #fgg ,february ,madge ,reef1 ,partial ,none ,no default4 s4s4 #ahia ,normanby ,sound ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- #ba ,stranding1 ,moltke1 #hbg ,may ,flinders ,partial ,none ,foreign vessel4 barque #ahia ,opening ,no inquiry4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- #aj ,collision1 ,wastwater1 #bhaj ,june ,brisbane ,no ,loss ,none ,master ,ranelagh s4s #ahia ,river cautioned4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- #aj ,collision1 ,ranelagh1 #hcf ,june ,brisbane ,no ,loss ,none ,master ,ranelagh s4s4 #ahia ,river cautioned4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- #ae ,stranding1 ,anahuac1 #abbj ,june reef near ,total ,none ,foreign vessel4 ship #ahia ,bramble ,cay ,no inquiry4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- ,harbour ,master's ,office1 ,maryborough1 #cast ,july1 #ahia4 ,,sir1--,in accordance with your instructions1 ,i have the honour to submit the following ,report on the ,oyster ,fisheries of this port1 the extreme limits of which extend from ,tin ,can ,inlet on the south1 taking in ,wide ,bay1 ,great ,sandy ,strait1 and ,hervey ,bay1 to the ,burrum ,river on the north1 covering a distance of nearly #ajj miles1 exclusive of many large creeks1 all containing oyster ground between those limits4 ,i commenced marking off these oyster banks in ,july1 #ahhf4 ,we then had licenses issued for #gb banks1 #ah boats1 and #db men1 at a revenue of ,l#cih for the year ending #cjth ,june1 #ahhf4 ,we now have for the year ending #cjth ,june1 #ahia1 licenses issued for #age oyster banks1 #cj boats1 and #ec men1 at a revenue of ,l#idb #bs4 #f;d4 ,vide ,schedule appended4 ,i hope to have the survey of the different sections in ,hervey ,bay completed by the end of the present year1 when tracings of plans of same will be forwarded to you4 ,this would have been finished before1 but that ,i can only spare a few days in each month from my other duties for the work4 ,i shall then require to run over the whole district again1 as a considerable quantity of new ground has been taken up in the different sections since first survey1 owing to the heavy falls of spat which have since taken place1 portions of which ground previously never carried an oyster4 ,during the past year large quantities of spat have fallen on the oyster banks in ,hervey ,bay and ,great ,sandy ,strait1 some of the banks being literally covered1 thus preventing the shipment of good marketable oysters1 which1 if removed in their present state1 would cause the destruction of all the young oysters attached to them4 ,great attention has been paid by the different licensees to the cultivation of their banks by removing the poor oysters from the high ridges1 after being carefully culled and separated into clumps containing from three to four oysters1 are deposited on the grass flat and lower ground lying near4 ,upwards of #d1jjj bags have been treated in this manner with excellent results4 ,over #i1jjj bags of marketable oysters1 at a rough value of #cjs4 per bag 7,l#ac1ejj71 have been shipped during the past year by the different licensees to the various markets of the colonies4 ,messrs4 ,leftwich and ,sons alone have sent over #c1ejj bags2 the ,moreton ,bay ,oyster ,company and ,messrs4 ,perry and ,griffin have also shipped large quantities of oysters for the purpose of cultivating the ,moreton ,bay banks4 ,in conclusion1 ,i am pleased to state that the whole business throughout is in a flourishing condition and steadily increasing in magnitude1 and ,i feel confident that the revenue received from this industry for the following year will reach four figures4 ,,fisheries4 ,there have been large quantities of mullet in this district during the season which commences when the westerly winds set in1 generally about the end of ,may and ending about ,august1 when they come close in to the shore to spawn4 ,crabs are also plentiful4 ,i do not think that a close season is at all necessary at this port1 as there are so few persons engaged in the traffic4 ,licenses have been issued at this port for the year ending #cjth ,june1 #ahia1 to #f ,europeans and #d ,chinese2 also #f boats4 ,i have1 c41 ,,edwd4 ,j4 ,,boult1 ,inspector of ,fisheries4 ,the ,chairman1 ,marine ,board1 ,brisbane4 ,,schedule ,,respecting ,,oyster ,,fisheries1 ,,maryborough4 ,period4 ,banks4 ,boats4 ,men4 ,revenue4 ,year ending ,june1 #ahhf #gb #ah #dj #cih #j #j ,year ending ,june1 #ahhg #adj #cj #gj #gfe #j #j ,year ending ,june1 #ahhh #aej #dj #gc #hcf #j #j ,year ending ,june1 #ahhi #afg #cg #gg #ibc #j #j ,year ending ,june1 #ahij #afc #cc #ea #ijc #j #j ,year ending ,june1 #ahia #age #ca #ec #idi #b #f ,transfers and ,fishing ,licenses4 ,l#ab4 ,price #as4 #f;d4 ,by ,authority3 ,james ,c4 ,beal1 ,government ,printer1 ,william street1 ,brisbane4 ,illustration3 ,map of ,moreton ,bay4 ,tracing from survey of #ahia4 #c #e fathom contours in red were those of #ahhf4