HARBOUR LIGHTS. TO THE EDITOR.

Evening Post, Volume LIII, Issue 36, 12 February 1897, Page 2

HARBOUR LIGHTS. TO THE EDITOR.

Sie — As several letters have appeared in your paper dealing with the inefficiency of the Somes Irland light ai a guide to the entrance of Wellington Harbour, it may not be considered out of place for me to state that in the month of December, 1894, a deputation from this Association waited upon the then Minister of Marine (the Hon. Mr. Ward), and represented to him that the present light was utterly inadequate for the requirements of the port in view of the great increase of traffic and the tonnage of the vessels employed in the same. This deputation was formed after taking the opinion of all the masters of vessels frequenting the port, and it was urged that a pile lighthouse should be built on the western edge of the Hope Shoal off Ward Island ; or, as an alternative, that a light of increased power be put in the position of the present one at Somes Island. Mr. Ward promised that the Marine Engineer would be instructed to report on the cost of a new tower at Ward Island, and that steps would probably be taken to give effect to the suggestions which had been made, as soon as the erection of tho lighthouses on Cape Palliser and the Kidnappers was approaching completion. I am, &c. A. Kennedy, Secretary Shipmasters' Association of N.Z. Wellington, 11th February, 1897.