CASTLEPOINT LIGHTHOUSE

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 139, 12 June 1912, Page 2

CASTLEPOINT LIGHTHOUSE

10 TUB BDITOU. Sir,— A paragraph appeared in your columns of last Thursday, stating that the tower to be erected at Casuepoint was nearing completion at Messrs. Luke and C'o.'s foundry. From Hub I gather that it in the intention of the Government to erect this lighthouse in a position where it will be practically useless, from a mariner's point of view. I wish to state emphatically that to erect a lighthouse tit this point is simply throwing niouay uway, which might otherwise be expended in a serviceable manner. ! Whilbt such places as Tongue Point are left without a light, it is almost criminal to leave them thus and pluco a light where it van be of little or no use. Casllepoinl is, ac bus been pointed out previously, a > uno bold headland, which can bo approached close to, which, if it could be shifted bodily to the vicinity o£ Flat Point, would be au ideal spot for a lighthouse to be built. Unfortunately tho site is not, or should not be, the main consideration. The primary reason for I* light being placed anywhere is, I tuke it, to warn vessels of dangerous ground and ullow them to Bteer und feet a safe course that will tako them clear of the dangers. It in a lemarkablo thing that, although the Cui'ernment h determined to erect the light on Cnetlepoint, this point in not e\eu mentioned in the New Zealand Nautical Almanac (which is compiled by tho Nautical Advjßor to the Government) in i'oui!-esi and distances from point to point. Iv stating that the erection of 11 light on Cuf-tlepoint ib a scandalous mitte of public mouey, 1 am voicing the opinions of ehipmusterß. who, jour iv and year out, navigate the oast coust of the Nonh Island. It is not yet too late to arrange that the light tower now being built, should be pluced on Tongue Point, where it would be of the utmost service to the shipping community. — 1 am, etc., D. WATSON. Secretary, tne Merchant Service Guild of Australasia 11th June.