A DEFECTIVE PILOT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 155, 1 July 1881, Page 2

A DEFECTIVE PILOT.

(Is Melton Tivus June 18.) _■ : Is there anything suspicious ahout that . admirable publication, tlic "New Zealand Pilot ?" The other day a vessel struck n ; .rock. off one of the hays near Wellington Heads, At the preliminary enquiry the * pilot stated that " the captain, as a stranger, acting under the instructions of the 'New Zealand Pilot/ was justified in bringing up where he did, although he would not do so himself as he knew it to be a daugerous spot " ******** The official guide is, according to the local authority, a trap' to lure strangers in a place of danger. In the interest of strangeyg. oome-aefckm-is—im--—-peratively "demanded. A stranger in command of a vessel from London, arrives off _the harbour of Wellington, and anchoring la the berth indicated aa safe by his official sailing directions, finds his vessel trying con- . elusions with a rock. At the investigation ■which ensues, a local expert gays he was justified, but that he himself, knowing all about the danger, would not hava been guided by the official publication. Th« first opportunity should be taken for verify- • ing this statement. If it is found to be correct, steps ought to be taken to warn strangers by notifying the Admiralty without delay, so that masters of vessels may be on their guard. The last edition of the "Pilot^'is as late as 1875. When another edition is published, the latest information : can, of course, be embodied. But something ought to be done in the meantime Coasters and intercolonial sailors are no doubt aware that in this and possibly other particulars the directions of the ''Pilot" must be read with a certain liberality of interpretation., . But masters sailing from the United Kingdom are not all aware of the circumstances. If, after examination has verified the statement of the Wellington : Pilot, the Admiralty were notified, the Agent-General instructed to send word to the principal shipping offices, and/a notice inserted in tbe Gazette here, the public and ■ the insurance offices would be satisfied that reasonable precautions have been taken.