THE TUAHINE LIGHT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2532, 19 June 1909, Page 4

THE TUAHINE LIGHT.

VISIT OF INSPECTION

The new lighthouse at Tuahine Point having been completed, was tested yesterday. and a trip of inspection was made last night by a number of gentlemen in the Harbor Board’s launch. The party included Messrs John Townlev (chairman of the Board). Y . Pyke, j; J. Marshall (Public Works Department), W. Mitchell, J. S. Allan. Captaind Gumming and Martin, and a "Times” represntative. . The launch covered a distance or over 20 miles, and the light was viewed from varying points up to a distance of 6 miles. The unanimous opinion of those on board was that the light was excellent and fully up to anticipations. . , As it was burning lasii night, tne light was just a naked one in the tower, and was clearly visible at thomaximum distance to which the launch travelled. It is considered that the addition of the reflectors will make a great improvement, and that wh err fliev are fitted the light will be J 1 ? 1 *?’ 0 in clear weather at a distance or fully fourteen miles. The light itself is not large, being only about fifteen candle-power, and with a mean diameter of a little over half an ' inch. It is. however, most penetrating, and even m its present incomplete state lights up the surroundings well. . , . . ~ . Captain Cummings explained that, those on board a higher vessel than the launch would -see the light even better than it was seen last night, as looking from more on the same level_ as a light makes it much more bngnt at appearance tban when looking from the level of the water. Fitted with the burner as it- is at present, the light will keep going for forty days without attention, with a ten seconds flash and a slightly shorter period of darkness. , „ . A most ingenious piece of mechanism has been installed in connection wdh the light, by means of winch the light s only going at night, and a clever automatic arrangement regulates the hours during which it shall burn according to the length of the nights. , "It is all right,” said Mr, Townley to tho pressman when the party returned to the wharf. "It is splendid, and will be of great service to shipmasters using the port.”