KAIPARA SIGNAL STATION.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXX, Issue 5135, 5 February 1874, Page 2

KAIPARA SIGNAL STATION.

FreQttent complaints have been mado respecting the position of tho pilot signalling station at Kaipara Heads. Not only is the station too far distant from the mouth of the harbour, but it is also on the wrong side of the entrance. Repeatedly has this been pointed out, and the subject has also been brought before the Provincial CoiincU, and if we remember rightly a sum was voted for the removal of the station to the opposite side from that it now occupies. The necessity for this removal is pressing. A vessel, the ' Amateur,' grounded at the entrance to the harbour on Saturday last, while sailing in , and that accident was caused as tho master reports, from the fact of his being unable to see the signal. The ' Amateur,' however, was fortunately got off without ldss of cargo, but had to be beached afterwards, in order to ascertain if any, and what damages she had sustained. These are said not to be serious, some injuries to the ship's bottom being all that in reported. But the important point is that such an accident should have occurred through such a cause as alleged; that cause being defects in the pilotage arrangements with which the authorities have for a long time been familiar. A good and useful and capacious harbour, of no doubtful entrance if proper directions are given and can be seen — a harbour in an important and fertile district obtains a bad name because the necessary provisions are neglected. The ' Amateur ' had on board €4,000 worth of plant imported from England belonging to the New Zealand Fibre Company, whiah is now establishing a new industry at Kaipara. Had that machinery been lost through the present accident, and if the alleged cause of the accident is the true one, it would have been a serious delay, and perhaps may have caused a stoppage of the adventure that this company is now proceeding with ; and all through a neglect which cannot too soon be remedied. If inquiry is necessary into this grounding and the causes which led to the accident, let that inquiry be mado at once, and the remedy at once applied.