Lighthouse Studies

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31329, 28 March 1967, Page 12

Lighthouse Studies

One of the Colombo Plan students in New Zealand at present is 39-year-old Abu Bakar Bin Ali, of the Singapore Light Dues Board, who is with the Marine Department for three months to study lighthouse running. Singapore is changing its five manned lighthouses from oil-burning to electricity, and Mr Bakar has come to New Zealand at the request of the Singapore Government to see recent developments in lighthouse working. He has so far taken part in a comprehensive lighthouse keepers’ course at Wellington, in which he studied not only light maintenance, but also the practical side of lighthouse life. His course included motor maintenance, carpentry, plumbing, boatwork and signalling and was rounded off with a brief glimpse at the use of farm machinery, when he visited Flock House training farm, near Palmerston North.

Mr Bakar is now on a round of visits for on-the-spot study of lighthouses at Castlepoint, Cape Reinga, Cape Palliser and Stephens Island.

When Mr Bakar returns to Singapore, he will apply the knowledge he has gained to the lighthouses of the fifth biggest port in the world. He will be familiar with electrical generators, optical lenses and the geographical siting of navigation lights. His experience in New Zealand is a highlight of his 17 years as a lighthouse mechanic.

Mr John McGrath, a student at Victoria University, Wellington, has been selected to represent New Zealand at a Commonwealth students’ conference to be held in London from April 25 to 29. (P.A.)