BIG LIGHTING PROPOSITION

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2134, 28 April 1914, Page 5

BIG LIGHTING PROPOSITION

THREE KINGS PROBLEM. (By Telesoioh.—Press Association.} GhfislchurclV April 28. "We are up against tho biggest lighting proposition south of tho ,Une, tlto Horn F. M. B. Fisher, Minister of ■Marine, remarked to a reporter when asked as to the progress being mado in tho matter of erecting a lighthouso on one of the Three Kings.. Tho shipmasters of Auckland,-Mr. Fisher wont on to say, wore very anxious that he should agreo to the erection of a light that will"cost £30,000, and will stand at a height-of 1000 feet above the sea level,"on what is known as the Big Kin", situated ftvo miles oast- cf Danger Point. Ho (Mr. Fisher) objected to the proposed' expenditure, especially for a> light ia tho position Mentioned, until tho Department is advised as. to the most uu-to-dnto methods possible for socuriiig'th© safety of. passing vessels. The public, in considering tho matter, ought not to overlook tho fact that a light on tho- western King would uoi, have saved the steamship Blmg.imite. which struck at 10 o'clock m the. morning. , « "Mv objection to being faroca into this verv high expenditure for a uoiibtfnl means of securing safety, Mr. Fisher added, "Is based on knowledge ■that tho real danger at tho Ihrcs Kinws is duo to fog, and that the. probability of a mariner sighting a light seven miles away, at a height ot IUOU foot, in a thick fog is so remote that such a light is more apt to becomo a source of danger than of safety in thick weather. It is possible, that a mariner might stand in to look for tbo light and strike tho danger, so that tho danger being as groat as it is constitutes a degreo of safety which would not exist under the conditions proposed by tho master mariners. , • "I havo received a good deal of mforniatian regarding tho wireless nomr,iiss, which is now being installed on all classes of vessels at Homo, from tho largest liners down to fishing smacks. It enables a vessel to fix her position no matter how rough tho sea is or bow dense tho fog. If this method 'should prove 'satisfactory wo can putup a wirclpss station in the north for '■ one-sixth of tho cost- of tho proposed light. Such -a wireless station would not ; onlv keep in. touch with vessels at all i hours, but would prove of commercial j benefit,"