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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 146, 23 August 1866, Page 2

We are glad to find that the President of the Marine Board, in his annual report to the Assembly, has urged the necessity of placing a light near the end of Cape Farewell Spit. He suggests that should the apparatus intended for Cape Saunders not be required at the South, it might (if suitable) with great propriety be placed on such a site as might be determined at Farewell Spit, thus saving an immediate outlay of about £3,000, .aud by bringing the apparatus into early use obviate that danger which may probably arise from the want of constant care and inspection. A light due, levied on vessels entering the i Strait from the. westward, or, passing round. Cape Farewell to the- gold coast, would, I believe, more than defray the expense of maintaining a lighthouse establishment. Captain Sharp does., not agree with Mr. Aylmer, who recently surveyed Farewell Spit, and intimated that engineering difficulties might be experienced in forming a foundation for the structure, owing to the continual moving of the sand. He, therefore, suggested a floating light. 'The president adds : — There is nd secure place of anchorage . for a vessel where the- light would be of service ; the elevation of- a. floating light ; w<suld be insufficient to be visible wheri approached from the, sou __ west ; it would be 1 liable to . removal or. entire loss, and might \ therefore lead vessels attempting to make itipto. danger ; the cost of. maintenance, of a floating light would be greater than a -shore establishment. For the foregoing. ■>. reasons lam decidedly of opinion that ; a lighthouse on Bushend, Farewell Sp_; has a-preference.