Marakopa.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 352, 12 April 1911, Page 7

Marakopa.

During the last four days we have had three visits from boats, the Pitoitoi breaking a record. She left here Friday morning at 10, returning with another full load Sunday morning. The same day that the Pitoitoi came here (Friday), the Jane also hove in sight. She floated over the bar very gracefully, but not knowing the river channel, as there are no river beacons, she grounded. Punts and launches from Marokopa had to come round to the bar to unload her. It is high time some person was appointed to keep the beacons here. At the time of writing the channel has pulled more to the westward and the main seaward beacon has been broken off short by the weather and drifted several chains up the beach. Through the need of river beacons, the public here were put to the expense of rehandlirig cargo—exactly double work —from boat to punt, from punt to wharf. This may be simple were launch, punts and wharf on a level, but where the heavy stuff has to be litfed it is realised just what inconvenience the lack of beacons is liable to cause. At full tide the channels and beaches are covered, and only the native knows the way. The Minister for Marine was written to re this matter, but as usual he evaded the question. A petition is being sent in, and should the Minister again act as before, then the responsibility is on his shoulders. Mr Stanley wrote some month ago re the danger for mariners of this port being unguarded. Frequently the beacons indicate wrong channels, and are only shitfed when it is known that a boat is coming. Beacon lamps ought to be provided, so that mariners may enter at night. Last Thursday evening the vessels had arrived; full tide was at 8.30, but as there were no lam] s, they had to wait till next morning's tide. Now the bar was very calm that night and next morning, so all was well. But what if a storm had sprung up in the night? Our two vessels would have bad to go back to Waitara. you may say. Worse than that would happen. Not only would our short rations still continue, but these two ships with their valuable cargo of lives and goods, would have had to stand miles out to sea, and take the chance of swamping by the heavy seas that Kill across this North Taranaki Bight. When a local Waratah goes to add further mystery for the public, we and the Minister for Marine will not be in the dark. We shall know! It is admitted that shipping on the west Coast is dangerous. Well, all the more reason why the Government should do their duty towards lessening the risk. Roads we have not; food and a hundred other things we must have. Our only connection is by water, hence urgency of immediate action. By Friday's trip of the Jane, Mr Oliver Fairhall, well known in this district, returned to Marokopa. The Misses Eva and H. Hay lock left by the Pitoitoi this morning en route for the south.