COASTAL NAVIGATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15383, 21 February 1912, Page 2

COASTAL NAVIGATION

BETTER LIGHTING WANTED.

J , (Per Unithi) Piikss Assomnox.) AUCKLAND, February 19. I I'or over 12 months ship masters sailing between Auckland aim overseas ports i havo been agitating in favour of better i lighting of tlie New Zealand coast north :of Auckland. 'Phis morning a deputation i repiesenting shipmasters waited on the I president of the Auckland Chamber of ! Commerce, and asked that the chamber ! .'-luiiild transmit through Messrs A. M } Myers and J. M. Bradney, M.P.'s, a : largely-signed petition for at least four ! new lights on the coast north of this pott. ; The petition gave it as the opinion of all : leading shipmasters that the coast from ] Auckland northwards was insnUicientiv i lighted, and that it was absolutely ncces- . sary for the safety of lives and property > that additional lights should be placed oil ; the coast, line. The petition set foith that , th:- first and most urgent work for the [ .-al'cly of ocean-going vessels was the erec- ; lion on some suitable part of the Three ! Kings of a first-class light and fog signal, and that the Big King was admirably ! adapted for a lighthoiso station. Jn aa- : dition a new watched light was requited j<n the flat rock eastward of Kawau Island, an uuwatehed light on the Channel Mam! on the south entrance to Jlaura'ki Gulf, and a light and fog signal en i the North Cape. Mr Myers said that, '•leaking as a business man, he failed to : s.:e any reason why the Marine Depart- ; ment had failed to take action in thi* matter before now. Captain Holford : The Elingamite dis aster ehotihl have been enough! Captain Ross: If another disaster of the kind does take place, the responsibility will not be ours. Mr Myers promised to have the petition at once forwarded to .Messrs A. M.Mvers | and .1. 11. Bradney for presentation to ! Parliament.