WESTPORT LIGHT
Destruction By Children (From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, Sept. 2. The wanton destruction of a navigation light situated at the approaches to Westport Harbour drew comment from the Minister of Marine (Mr Scott) today. Mr Scott said that apart from the cost of a replacement light, the destruction or damage of aids to navigation could result in disastrous consequences to life and property at sea. Automatic lights, as with other aids to navigation, were vital to the safety of shipping. “Incidents of this nature cannot be tolerated,” Mr Scott said. 12-Year-Old Offenders In the case at Westport, the offenders—l2-year-old children—had been dealt with by a court, and partial restitution imposed on the parents concerned. The Minister said that the Shipping and Seamen Act, 1952, provides that persons found guilty of damaging navigation lights are also liable to the cost of repair or replacement—which can amount to many hundreds of dollars—and he would have no hesitation in recommending civil proceedings against the parties concerned, should there be further acts of such nature.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19680903.2.206
Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31774, 3 September 1968, Page 26
Word Count
173WESTPORT LIGHT Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31774, 3 September 1968, Page 26
Using This Item
Stuff Ltd is the copyright owner for the Press. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 New Zealand licence. This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Stuff Ltd. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.
Acknowledgements
This newspaper was digitised in partnership with Christchurch City Libraries.