"CROSSING THE BAR."

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13786, 27 December 1906, Page 10

"CROSSING THE BAR."

TO THK r.DIIOR. Sir,—Some years ago wo had in Melbourne a discussion on this subject similar to what lately appeared in your paper. llio following incident, which was then related, has always seemed to me to be, though not illuminative of the text, at least an interesting commentary thereon. As is well known, the navigation of'the entrance Port Phillip through the "Pip" requires at all times much care, and, under certain conditions of wind and tide, is not done without danger. The • writer told how once in the earl.v 1 little pilot, boat tried again and again to place a pilot on board an incoming clipper, but the surging seas prevented. At last, seeing all such efforts were futile, the tug signalled (1 Follow tne, ' and made for the entrance. The larger vessel followed where she led, through the boiling "Rip" into the calmer waters beyond. Then the little craft ran alongside, and placed the pilot' 011 board to bring the vessel up Port Phillip to the a-ncliprago in Hobson's Bar. '• In this ease the voyager and the pilot stood "face io face when thev had crowed the bar."

«n-°- !l avi,| S seou commoiitfi of Civis, I can but khcks at his line of argument; but. in expressing (he hop© to see his pilot when his soul went out. from inue inio Eferniiy, may not iho poet nave luul the thought in his mind hs expressed in the. lines of the paraphrase^ Than shalJ we see as face To face, And God shall bo unvuilM. -I am, etc.. _ A. W. H \\ illiamstown, Victoria.