Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, MARCH 81, 1891. More Economy?

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 31 March 1891, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, MARCH 81, 1891. More Economy?

We might fully expect that the Palmerston Electoral District would not escape the far-seeing eye of the Retrencher. The opportunity to smite an opponent was too tempting. It remains to be seen whether the district chooses to accept with resignation the chastisement meted out to it. The Marine Department has informed the pilot that bis one eyrelamb must be parted with, that is to say, his only assistant, his boatman. Whether the service can be managed by one man is not considered, £10 a month wages, entailing a loss of £50 a month of revenue, is, to a Liberal Government, a clear gain, and thus illustrates in a striking manner, the peculiar finance the candidates of this party, gave vent to at the last election. Foxton is only partially interested in this question of running our pilot service, as the port is of utmost interest to Palmerston, Woodville, and Feilding. The excuse put forward is, that the revenue from the pilotage fees has fallen 4#, tncl that «9*ae ftduetion

therefore must be made. It is probable that the income has fallen, but the amount that has been received from the shipping to this port has always been overlooked, as the Railway has been allowed to receive all wharfage fees and plank them on to their receipts ! A Harbour Board would have the revenue from the two sources to pay the outlay, and if the department has got so hampered for £10 a month, they might apply to the Commissioners for assistance. Between these two Government departments, the settlers in the district stand a very fair chance of having their port destroyed, and we trust the various bodies having the trade at heart, will rouse sufficient energy to protest against the proposed action. We will show how important another man, besides the pilot, is. The bar is a shifting one, and as we have made no drain upon the Colonial resources for any "improvements," the pilot has necessarily to carefully watch the constant changes in directionj^nd in depth, and to note the sameflF To do this so thoroughly, as he has, that no accident has occurred for some years, and none that we know of arising from any cause within his control, he has to frequently shift the beacons, two large timber triangles over 11 feet in heighth, and what this is can be estimated when within two or three years they have been moved, a space at a time, 2J miles. The pilot has to walk this distance at each tide to watch for vessels, and also at each low tide to watch the channel. He cannot possibly manage a boat on the bar and sound, therefore some help is needed. He assures us that twice or thrice a week, i.i any weather he can get out in, he sounds, and that it is neccsary so to do. At one time the Department authorised him, after taking away his assistant, to engage outside help. Surely this would be more expensive than having one regularly employed? besides which, other help is impossible to get, when wanted. The bar is five miles away from the town, and two or three fishermen are the only hands near by, and in bad weather their services could be easily got, but in fine weather ,when the bar can be sounded, and beacons shifted, these men want to make the most of their time fishing, and laugh at the offers made. We believe united action would avail, and we strongly urge its being made, as the port, and its accessibility, is the best safeguard our inland friends have for fair freights.