THE HARBOUR PILOT STAFF.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16052, 20 April 1914, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE HARBOUR PILOT STAFF.

Sib,—ln your issue of this date I observe a letter signed " Economy" with reference to Harbour Board matters in general and the pilot staff in particular. It is well known to the shipping community that the pilot service is conducted in a way that is highly appreciated by every ship master coming in and going out of the port of Otago. It is a harbour that requires particular men to handle the very large steamers coming to this port, and no one can deny but that the harbour master has got in his charge men of great ability in the handling of these great vessels. " Economy" has evidently a grudge against the harbour department for some reason best known to himself. Few people know the great responsibility there is in bringing in and taking out the class of vessels now trading here without any accidents. It would be a serious matter to have an inefficient staff that might cost the Harbour Board as much in one accident! as would pay the salaries of the whole staff for 10 years. We have oniv to look back at the accident that befel the Ulimaroa going through to Dunedin under the command of her muster, the bill for repairs, it is said, being £22,000. If our harbour authorities had to face a bill like that through not having a properly trained staff it would be a very serious matter indeed, and I am sure the board, as presently constituted, will never allow the pilot service to be curtailed, as thi6 would be a great calamity, not' only to the harbour, but also to the whole of the people of the province of Otago. It is only necessary to look up the returns published bv the Harbour Board to see tha* the pilot service brings in a larger amount of revenue than any other department under its control. As for the salaries of the harbour master and pilots, I am sure they are much lower than those of Melbourne or Sydney and here they have to work practically two'harbours—upper and lower—and narrow waters at that, with large vessels. I feel confident that the members of the board will see that the staff is properly mainained for the benefit of the whole com'ffiunity.—l am, etc., SArxon. April 16.