SAFETY AT WHARVES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17234, 9 August 1919, Page 10

SAFETY AT WHARVES.

APPLIANCES A> DEVONPOHT.

criticism BY coroner.

HARBOUR BOARD'S REPLY. An opinion as to the need for prov'd'ng 'mors life-saving appliances on the Victoria Wharf at Dovonport, was expressed byMr. J. E. Wilson, S.M., in a rider attached to his, finding a* the inquest concerning the death of John Keating, who fell horn the wharf and was' drowned early on Tuesday mowing. After returning a verdict that death waa due to a fall from the wharf, the coroner added • " On the wharf at Devonport there is not sufficient provision made for* saving life it being ne<toary, in my opinion, thai means be provided for reaching the water by steps from the wharf, and that a, boat should bo readily available," The chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, Mr. K. B. Heather, m a statement last evening, said that on the Victoria Wharf there were three life-buoys and a, set of grappling-iron?, to all of which . lone ropes wore attached. There were I steps on the eastern side, and the vehicular'traffic landing en th« western I side of the whOT f" " The board," said ,Mr Heather, " has gone to consider- ■ able expense in providing these . appliances, but I am sorry to e&v it • very tittle assistance from the ' P £ Z safeguarding them. The ropes attached to the grappling irons and lifebuoys are constantly feeing cut and stolen, and the life-buoys are even ripped open l .&££3? ° 1: obfcainiris cork **» } Referring to the suggestion that a boat should be kept hr readiness, Mr. Heather * was evident that the existing con- ; .djtions were not known. The (Sfaour.' I master had stated that it would bS. , tally useless to supply a boat, as it *|ould ha impossible to keep gear in it and it was more than likely the boat it self would •be removed. The police it was added, formerly had a ~ boat at the head of the Quel's Wharf, but it had < to be piratically padlocked to the davits .and eventually it fell intd ouch disrepair that it was abandoned. Mr Heather stated that the matter would be brought befopa ths board at its next mating.