THE THREE KINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15560, 18 March 1914, Page 6

THE THREE KINGS.

The difficulties surrounding the safeguarding of shipping from the dangers of the Three Kings are not lessened by Mr. Fisher's suggestion that he may spend three years seeking for the best solution that modern science affords. Shipping is faced at the Three Kings with grave dangers, which should not be treated in this light-hearted fashion by the responsible Minister. The shipmasters are urging that a lighthouse and fog-signal be placed on the Kings because they can estimate the value of such safeguards. Mr. Fisher's wireless compass is an unknown quantity it may be all that he hopes for, but unless he can promptly demonstrate its practical utility it cannot be accepted at the | estimate he placed upon it at Ngaruawahia. The case for investi- \ gation into the merits of the wireless compass is more temperately put by the chairman of the Harbour Board, whose advocacy of this course after , conference with the Minister should do something to allay the fears of shipmasters that the promised action by the Marine Department is in danger of being indefinitely deferred. If, as Mr. Gunson suggests, the question can be satisfactorily settled without undue delay, all possible schemes of warning shipping may well be considered. The vital thing is that early steps should be taken to ensure the safety of an important shipping route, arid that when they are taken they should not be experimental, but practical and complete.