THE PORT OF PATEA.

Patea Mail, Volume LII, 27 February 1931, Page 3

THE PORT OF PATEA.

' To the Editor. Sir,—As ii mariner who has worked this port for many years, I read with considerable interest and amusement your letter by “Onlooker" in your is-ue of the Alth. It is very hard to deal with your correspondent as letter, as his dates and statements are so disjointed. Vessels did not leave here on the night of the 18th because there was a heavy sea on bar, with channel unworkable, as decided by the pilot, ami which no one but a layman would dispute. Both boats departed on Thursday, 10th under much better conditions—less sea and better tide. ‘Onlooker's’ next date is Sunday, 22nd. explanation of which is quite clear. Strong NAY. wind all day, considerable set on bar. with heavy sea, and very poor tide in river. Under such conditions the pilot definitely stopped sailing. Those are just plain facts. The writer, with another master mariner and several laymen, spent over two hours with, the pilot at the Heads observing conditions before sailing was cancelled, so why should a layman like “Onlooker’ have the effrontery to make such accusations against the pilot on a subject which it is quite evident to all lie knows nothing about. A. 1\ GIBSON. Master M.S. Inaha.