MORE LIGHTHOUSES WANTED

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2088, 24 May 1907, Page 4

MORE LIGHTHOUSES WANTED

AN AUCKLAND COMPLAINT. Press Association. AUCKLAND, last night. At a meeting of the Auckland Anniversary Regatta Committee, the treasurer, Mr. W. C. Somers, read correspondence with the Minister for Marine with reference to tho inadequate lighting of the east coast. In his letter to the Minister Mr. Somers stated that from the West Kings to Cape Palliser, a distance of 680 nautical miles, there were 'only eight lights (including Tiritui) —an average of one light per 115 miles. The masters of sailing vessels complained bitterly about the state of affairs, the general opinion being that additional lights were badly wanted on North Cape, Percy Island, the Poor Knights, and also between Napier and Palliser (a distance of 170 miles). The Hon. J. A. Millar, in reply, said he 'would give the matter his careful attention and consideration. Mr. Somers went on to say that in conversation Mr. Millar informed him that it was the policy of the'Department to erect one lighthouse a year, and every lighthouse cost some thousands of pounds. It was decided to instruct Mr. Chas. C. Dacre to bring the correspondence under the notice of the Harbor Board, and endeavor to get that body to bring pressure to bear on the Government to provide for the 'efficient lighting of tho east coastline.