WHARF LIGHTS WANTED.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 136, 19 June 1901, Page 2

WHARF LIGHTS WANTED.

A DANGEROUS STATE OF THINGS,

Quite a number of persons called at the Times office last evening to complain of the neglect of the Harbor Board in not providing better lights at the wharf, more especially on occasions when there are large crowds of people assembled for the purpose of witnessing the departure of steamers.

Mr Ewen Cameron, of Toanga, was one of the first to call upon us, and he complained bitterly of what ho termed the disgracement management of the Harbor Board, “ I came into town to see my boy off to the South,” said Mr Cameron, “ and when I got to the wharf and left my trap I could not see one step in front of me. I lighted matches until I had used up the whole box. This was the only means that we bad of. seeing our way to the steamer. It is a disgraceful state of affairs, and it is time it was remedied. I pay heavy rates, and yet when I Come into town I cannot have a light at the wharf. There was a great crowd on the wharf, and folks could not see which way there were going. I struck all the matches I had. The passengers on board the steamer gave me three cheers for striking the matches, and giving them a little light,” remarked Mr Jamcron with a smile.

Sergeant Siddells, interviewed by a Times representative, said that there was no doubt a great need of more lights at the wharf, afe the present state of' affairs was absolutely dangerous. There was other provision needed, such as a railing, as used in other towns, to keep back the crowd from the end of the wharf. At present the police do their best in the matter, but it would be a very easy thing for anyone to be foropd oyer the wharf by sudden pressure from those behind. If, for instance, a drunken man commenced to jostle there would be a great risk indeed that someone would go over the wharf. If an accident of the kind occurred the police would probably be blamed. The Harbormaster (Captain Thomson) was interviewed on the subject. He said that there was no doubt that more lights were needed on such nights as last evening, when passengers were coming to and fro, and there were hundreds of people on the wharf.. It was a question of expense, but as the passenger traffic of the port was increasing so much, ho thought the tiiiie hod Come yyhen'tho consider the matter of better lighting. It was his intention to bring the matter under the notice of the Board in-his next monthly report. In addition to the foregoing statements it may be pointed out that in the berthing of vessels at the wharf late at night, it is at times so dark that it is difficult to pick up the ring-bolts,