RIVER CERTIFICATE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9774, 22 March 1895, Page 3

RIVER CERTIFICATE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib,—Your correspondent," Shovel Engineer," in yesterday's issue, tells us that he obtained his river certificate, the examiner "told him that such certificate entitled him to go as far as Whangarei. But why should he (tha examiner) place the river limits— perhaps, I ought bo say the extended river limits Bream Head ? If it be lawful for a river steamer to go as far as Bream Head, which is 60 miles from Auckland harbour, why should she nob be permitted to trade as far as the Bay of Islands, or even to circumnavigate the North Island, until she returns to Bream Head ? _ Your correspondent also makes a comparison of the dangers to which the Devonport Ferry Company's steamers and those of the Union Steamship Company are exposed, and his conclusions are by no ' means favourable to the latter compajiy. He then triumphantly points out that the Devonport Ferry Company's ships are officered by river certificated men, and in this connection I am forcibly reminded of Mark Twain's "raging canal," which no' doubtyour correspondent isconversantwith. From all that has recently appeared in your columns respecting this subject one would infer that river certificated men are far superior to those of a higher grade for coastal navigation, and indeed, sir, yOur leader anent this subject seems to me to point to that conclusion. Indeed, until J read Captain Syms' letter on the subject I was unaware that the extended river limits went beyond the Hauraki Gulf, which in my opinion is in all conscience far enough. Bub bo say that river limits should extend for 60 miles beyond the port appears to mi the heighb of absurdity.—l am, etc., Common Sense.