MUCH-NEEDED BEACON

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17406, 3 November 1930, Page 12

MUCH-NEEDED BEACON

FIJI’S NEW LIGHTHOUSE WORKING AMID BREAKERS SUV'A. October 18. The long-looked for new lighthouse off Walcuya Island has been completed. The work was carried out by Mr. Fred Midson. aided by 16 laborers and three half caste artisans, whose work will stand as an example of endurance. The lighthouse was built on an exposed reef live miles from the land, and at no time was the reef free from water, the lowest water being 18in. at neap tide. Day in, day out, these plucky men labored wet all over, sometimes m surging foam as the big seas churned over the reef. Many times work had to cease, owing to the seas. But determination conquered, and slowly but surely the huge pile reared aloft to fling its long slanting beams right over a network of dangerous reel's, to warn the mariner.

The foundation consists of eight concrete piles, sunk' Bft. in the solid coral. Then comes a deep tren.di of reinforced concrete. The base is 28ft,. by 27ft., the height to the top platform is 76ft.. and the lantern stands on the top of that. The Work took five months 15 days of actual work, although tlie party was there seven months in all.

Every morning and every night, wet and stiff, the party had to sail five miles to their camp, often in rough seas. But they won through. The lighthouse will he a great improvement on the small old one. situated about 500 yards to the east.— Auckland Star.