LIGHTING OF THE STRAIT.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 115, 13 May 1909, Page 7

LIGHTING OF THE STRAIT.

MORE OPINIONS AND SUGGES-

TIONS

[from our correspondent.]

"Wednesday

In this morning's Times the subject of the perils of Cook Strait and the need for further lights are again referred to. Several more mariners Lave given their opinions. There appears to be a general verdict in favor of another light. "Where opinions differ is as to the site. Mr Millar, the Minister for Marine," ought, it is thought, to reconsider his first decision, and in view of what has appeared in the Times, it is probable that he may review it after taking further expert evidence himself. Below I give your readers a summary of the various opinions expressed by seafaring men, some of whom are as well-known over your side of the Strait as they are here. * Captain Stewart, of the Arahura, favors a light at either Tongue Point or Terawhiti.

Catpain Watson, of the Pukaki, approves of a light on Tongue Point in preference to Terawhiti. The skipper was three years in the Picton-Welling-ton trade. The Brothers light in hazyweather, he says, soon gets obscured, and so does the high Pencarrow light, so that a master coming across has nothing to show him whether or not lals vessel is drawing into foul ground, such as Tom's Rock. A light would certainly not be confusing, and would be welcomed by every man in the trade. A red sector showing over Karori Rock and indicating all the danger zone is absolutely essential for the safety of vessels in hazy weather. Captain Aldwell, of the Te Anau, now running regularly to Picton, is also an advocate for Tongue Point. He says: "I"have had considerable experience in the trade across to Picton and Nelson. Many a time I could have gone on with safety and without worry if there had been a light on Tongue Point. A light would be of the utmost advantage, and undoubtedly serve to point out foul ground. The Brothers light, roughly speaking, is some fourteen miles distant from JTongue Point, and is certainly too far

off to show the danger zone. Pencarrow light is shut in, and cannot be seen until the foul places around lorn's Rock are passed. The light is aost urgently needed for the safety of navigation. The cost is a small item where the safety of the crews ana passengers traversing these dangerous waters is concerned. It is no argument to quote the expense." The Minister, it may be remembered, said b.B considered Cook Strain was well lit. Captain Hunter, of the Maori, bluntly declares "it is badly lit." As to the value of Pencarrow light he holds much the same opinion as that expressed by Mr Cozens. He says: "Cook Strait is not at all well lighted. There are only The Brothers, Cape Campbell and Palliser lights. Pencarrow is not a coast light. It is in reality a harbor light. I have never heard of a coast light in any part of the world being stuck away about five miles into a bight. Coast lights are always on capes or points, and never hidden away like at Pencarrow. The lights now do not put a man out of danger, but by arguments we have heard recently you must not try to go through the Strait at all if there is even the least bit of a shower. I certainly think there should be a light on Tongue Point, and this theory is very generally held, as it would be a means of safety for . the navigation of the whole Strait." Captains of other steamers have also been interviewed, and the verdict is nearly always the same. Captain Mclntyre (Stormbird) and Dowell (Huia) favor a light at Terawhiti, and Captain Dewhurst, of the Putiki, thinks the Brothers light is not useful to boats going to and fro between Wanganui and Wellington. He supports the Terawhiti proposal, or a light on Karori Rock—"a pretty good lump of a rock," he says. Each and every skipper interviewed ridicules Mr Millar's contention that a light at Terawhiti would be confusing. It could be quite different in flashes to the other lights. Reviewing the evidence collected, the Times in its leading columns speaks out very plainly:—"lt is now revealed beyond shadow of doubt that the Minister has not got a leg to stand on. The public has been so stirred by the Penguin tragedy, so horrified by the dreadful death of over seventy people, that neither the newspaper press, Members of Parliament or Ministers of the Crown can afford to let this matter stand where it does now. We commend our readers to perusal of an article in our news columns this morning amplifying what appeared yesterday, and ask that beside the opinions there expressed those of Mr Millar be placed. The verdict is obvious. The men whose views a>e expressed therein are speaking with the authority of long experience. If their profession was one of lesser dignity they would long ago have had thr.s boon they now ask, and which the public, in its own interest, must not cease agitating for until it shall le granted "