THE LAUNCH TRAFFIC.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 286, 23 November 1906, Page 3

THE LAUNCH TRAFFIC.

(to thb editop..) Sib, —Tbo recent terrible accident at Blenheim that brought al out the death of nine people sounds a note of warning that should not be disregarded by Kawhiteg. Io no place in New Zealand in proportion to our numbers is, 1 believe, so much travelling done by means of oil launches as here. At onoe lot me say that ail the owners of oil launches now plying for hire in Kawhia Harbour are careful and competent men and have the confidence of the public. With them under ordinary circumstances on accident is not likely to occur; but, •• an accident may happen at any time,” and I would ask, have necessary precautions been taken to provide against the unex pected or to minimise danger in the event of an accident occurring *? Have the launches proper port and starboard lights and if so do they use them? Are life buoys and life lines kept ready to band ? Are the helmsmen acquainted with the “ rule of the road ” and do they conform to it ? The questions are put quite as much for the benefit of the launch proprie tors as for the travelling public. Those who cater for the public accept hugh responsibilities ; they take for a time the guardianship of many valuable fives in their hand . In th; event of a bad accident, if it wen proved that those responsible bad no! taken clue cire and fore'bought, they would, as on railway lir.es and electric cars, be liable to be cast in heavy damages. I am, I am sorry to say. one who CAN’T SWIM.