COAST LIGHTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 1688, 29 May 1867, Page 6

COAST LIGHTS.

(To (fa MUor of the Otago Daiia- Times.}

But—Believing that it is still undecided ■whether the first coast light on our Province is to bo put on Cape Saundera or Nuggets Point, mid being confident of the .Nuggets Point being by fur fcho most useful place, I would bog to give my reasons in favor of the Nuggets to the Superintendent and Executive Government of Otago, through your journal. Firstly. For the uhc of vessels from the North, including all vessels from the West Coast of America, tho present harbor light on Taiaroa'a Head ia all that ia required, Secondly. Vessels from England and otherwise, coming through tho Straits and round Stewart's Island, by a light being 'placed on Nuggets Point, would necessarily endeavor to sight that light, and by so doing would then make their course and distance to Oape Saundere a certainty. But should they, in Righting the Nuggets light, bo further north than they are aware of, and past the Nugtjola —as is frequently the case, on account of not allowing enough for the current, and tliun drifting past Capo Saunders altogether, and not gutting back^ until the j wind chauges-—tliuy would still be safe i for getting "hold of Cape Saunders. Thirdly. The land to the southward of tho Nug^eta haa a sameness of appearance that makes it difficult to distinguish; whereas the laud to the northward has two very good distinctive marks—viz., Saddle Hill and Capo Saunders. * Fourthly. Vessels bound from Otago, through Foveaux Straits, when abreast of Kuggets Point, during the night, would, by Nuggets Point being lighted, know their position to a certainty, and thus know when to alter their course for tho Straits, and, in consequence, not be tic liable to strike tho dangerous Waipapapa Point, as several vessels have already done. Fifthly. On Capo Saunders a light will necessarily have to be placed about 500 ft high, and thus be enveloped in the miafc at the very time it is most required, whereas, on the other hand, tho light could be placed on one of tho Nugget Rocks, and entirely clear of the mist covering the high land. Sixthly. During heavy southerly galcß, sailing vessels and steamers, both, arc glad to get shelter, when hound south, under the Nuggets, which, being lighted, would enable'them to take shelter in tho dark. Trusting that the above willhave duo consideration, I am, &c., .Jamjw Stuw,vut, Hunter Mariner. Dunedin, 27th May, 1807.