TUAHINE LIGHTHOUSE BURNT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1517, 27 July 1905, Page 2

TUAHINE LIGHTHOUSE BURNT.

ORIGIN OF FIEE UNKNOWN. At half-past six last evening, Captain Cumming, harbormaster, received a telephone’mossage from the manager of the Okitu factory, Wainui beach, stating that the Tualiine lighthouse was in flames, and a similar report was recoivod by the Chairman of the Harbor Board, Mr J. Towniey, at the same hour from tbe manager of the Abattoirs, Waikanae beach. The Harbormaster aommunioated with the caretaker, Mr A. F. Hardy; and tbe latter and Capt. Cumming’s son wont out to Tuahine Point to make enquiries, and, if possible, to do. something towards saviug the structure. They returned at half-past 11 with the information that the lighthouse had been totally destroyed by fire. When they arrived at tha Point only the oil in tho tank was burning, all the building having been demolished. Captain Cumming went out in the Bay in the Waibi, but all that he could see was a fire burniDg in the locality, the light not being disoernable.

The cause of the fire is unknown. The light was attended to on Monday after? noon by Mr Hardy, and in the evening was burning brghtly, being seen by Capt. Skinner of jjhc schooner Aotea, as he rounded the gable end foreland. The fire must have stated shortly after six o’clock last evening. The Harbormaster was inr terviowed by a Times representative last evening, but Captain Camming could offer no explanation as to the oause of the He will visit the locality to-day, and report to the Board. The cost of the building was about £l5O. . , . It is to be hoped that the Board in reinstating tbe light wili take steps fo have it taken ever by tbe Government and classified as a Coaetal light, with a caretaker regularly in attendance. It is not fair to the Gisborne Harbor Board that they should have the responsibility of looking after what is properly a charge on tho colony ae a whole,