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New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4129, 15 June 1874, Page 2

In' a former article we directed attention to the increasing want of wharf accommodation at Wellington, in consequence of the expansion of trade and commerce, which lias oaxxsed the port to be frequented by more and larger vessels than tho projectors of tile present whax-f anticipated. But, at the time we did so, we knew very well that there was little probability of the present whax-f being extended. It is not to be presumed that tho City Ooxxncil would add to it ; the Provincial Government has not the funds requisite for undertaking such a wox-k ; and it is not to be expected that tho Gexxoral Government would. Pending the construction of a new wbax-f, what ought to be done is to make the old one as available as possible. If. the regulations require remodelling, let this be done ; but if they are good, let thenx be carried into effect. It is no use having regulations that simply exist oxx paper, and are daily set at nought and broken. To the public it is just the same that there should be no regulations, or very deficient ones, if they are never carried into effect; and they actually put the authorities in a worse position than if they could offer the excuse that there wore none. That reform is needed is an incontestible fact.

Two attempts have been made to form a tug company and reform the pilot service, both at a time when there was not the imperious demand for improvement that now exists. One of the loading merchants in the City thought so strongly upon the subject that he obtained from Newcastle, N.S.W., all requisite information respecting the excellent and extensive ser'does there. From this we infer that we may take it for granted that if it were felt alteration was then required, much more is it so now. The difficulty about a tug is the cost. That it is needed seems to bo the general opinion. But then an efficient boat would cost, it is said, not less than £IO,OOO, and the prospect of remuneration does not seem to be sufficient to tempt private enterprise into the field. Nor, looked at from one point of view, does it seem desirable that to private enterprise should the initiation of the work bo left. We presume that, if the service were a public one, with it would be combined the pilot service. Out of this there would come economy. Fewer men would be required on a tug boat than are employed on the present pilot service ; and the work would bo far more efficiently performed than it can be under existing circumstances. This is a view of the subject that deserves prominence, for some persons seem to indulge in an apprehension that a proper pilot service must mean something infinitely more costly than the one now employed. Mr. Pilot Holmes would, wo suppose, be able to do the whole business if he wore in command of a steam vessel, and his crow of five men, with a supernumerary or two, would not all be required. The advantages that would accrue to the trade of the port from the introduction of a steam vessel to bring in the fine sings that now frequent it at once to their destination, and take them back to sea without delay, are literally too numerous to mention. Instead of lagging in the rear of every port of consequence in Australasia, Wellington would then be on a par with others. It has been shown that after the preliminary expense of purchasing _ the vessel had been surmounted, her maintenance would not bo more costly than the present service ; but really the question is not one of cost; if it were, we might easily show that the value of the vessels wrecked in Cook Strait would soon cover the cost of a steam tug. Not that it is to bo implied that these were lost in consequence of the defective arrangements now existing ; but, at any rate, it may fairly be argued that if different ones had obtained, tho_ wrecks might not have occurred, lives might not have been lost, and shipowners and insurance companies might not have been mulcted. The apathy of the companies and the owners is somewhat incomprehensible. They, at any rate, are interested in seeing an improvement brought about. And, really, so is every one in Wellington. Sufficient pride ought to be felt by those who have watched the growth of tho City, and its advancement and prosperity, to cause them to feel an interest in any stop calculated to add to its importance, and stimulate its increasing commerce. Wo are not urging the adoption of anything in the nature of an experiment. The verdict, all tho world over, is for a tug service in aid of the mercantile marine. And, after it has boon commenced at Wellington, tho wonder will bo in the minds of all how it could have been dispensed with so long.