EROSION AT LIGHTHOUSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20604, 1 July 1930, Page 12

EROSION AT LIGHTHOUSE.

TOWER BECOMING UNSAFE. ■REPORT MADE BY ENGINEER. [r.Y TETjEGRAPIT.—OWN COMIESPONDENT.] GISBORNE. Monday. Members of the Gisborne Harbour Board to-day learned from tho engineer's report that the Tuahine lighthouso was endangered by sea erosion of tho rocky ledge upon which tho tower stands. Tho Tuahine light Imb Btcod for many years as a guido to coastal shipping and thousands of Gisborne people havo visited tho tower and mado an inspection of the light after climbing- tho stoop exterior stairway. Tho tower ia a feature of tho coast. * ■

Tho referenco to tho tower in tho report of the engineer, Mr. C. F. Marshall Smith, to tho hoard to-day was as fol lows: "The Tuahino lighthouso wits Inspected by tho acting-harbourmaster and myself and it was found that serious erosion of tho rOck at tho baso of the towor was taking place, go much so that the towor was rapidly becoming unsafe. I notified tho district engineer of the Public Works Department as tho representative of tho Marino Department pnd arranged with him to inspect the site with mo. He hus reported to tho Marino Department the result of our investigations." When the roport was undor discussion tho chairman, Mr. .7. Tombloson, statod that tho board's obligation- was only to keep tho light in running ordor and that repairs were tho responsibility of the Marine Department. Tho board hoard this information with relief.