HON. JAMES CARROLL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2581, 16 August 1909, Page 3

HON. JAMES CARROLL.

VISIT TO GISBORNE. The Hon. James Carroll, actingPrime Minister, arrived in Gisborne on Saturday, from Wellington, and will remain until Wednesday. On arriving at the' wharf from the steamer the Minister was met by the Mayor (Mr. W. D. Lysnar) and the Chairman of the Harbor Board (Mr. John Townley) who extended to him congratulations on liis appointment to the office of acting-Prime Minister.

THE TUAHINE LIGHT. The Acting-Prime Minister’s chief business in Gisborne was to open the new lighthouse on Tudhine Point, and to hand the structure over to the Gisborne Harbor Board. Shortly after 10 o’clock four vehicles left the postoffice for the Wainui beach, among those present being the Hon. Captain vV. A. Tucker, (chairman of the Cook County Council), Mr. W. D. S. MacDonald, ALP.; Mr J. Townley (chairman of the Harbor Board), Messrs Kells, Harris, -and C. J. Parker and Mr. Witty (secretary and treasurer to the Board), Mr. Howie (Collector of Customs), Captain Cummings (Harbormaster), Mr. C. E. Armstrong (resident engineer), Messrs. C. A. deLautour, J. R. Kirk, J. W. Bright, M. L. Foster, A. AI. Puflett, Jas. Allen, W. F. Crawford, and Captain T. Chrisp. On arriving at Tuahine Point the wind from across the bay blew a hurricane, and an inspection of the ney light was made, the Minister turning on the acetylene gas which, without lens show's at 50 candle power, but which when magnified is 250 candle pow r er and can be seen at a distance of 14 miles. The light will serve both southern and northern shipping, and will be visible from the south after rounding Table Cape, and from the north after rounding Tatapouri, while; it ean be distinctly seen from the; anchorage. The speeches were delivered in a hoi-; low sheltered from the wind. Mr. j 1 John Townley, in calling upon the j Minister to declare the light open, said he was very pleased to see them there, on this important occasion, important to seafaring people, as they were about to set the light shining. Those in town sometimes grumbled at the lighting of the streets, but what, he asked, must be the thoughts of the shipmasters approaching the port with such a headland projecting and no light? He would ask the acting-Pre-raier, who they, were all glad to see, to hand the lighthouse over to the Board, who, he added, would take a great pleasure in keeping the light going in a proper manner. Mr. Townley then read the following letter from Mr. J. W. J. Preston, Gisborne manager of the U.S.S. Company. to the Chairman of the Harbor Board: “Dear Sir, —Opening of Tuahine light:—l have to thank you for the kind invitation to he present at the ceremony to-morrow, and regret that circumstances will prevent my attendance. The light will provide a longfelt want in picking up this port, especially during dirty weather. I sincerely trust that now it has been satisfactorily completed no delay will be experienced in providing telegraphic communication between Gisborne and the lighthouse. The comparatively small outlay will be more than counterbalanced by the great convenience to the public and the shipping interests of this rapidly growing port. With best wishes for a successful ceremony, be- : lieve me, —Yours sincerely, J. W. J. : Preston.”

The Minister said that he agreed witii Mr. Townley that the function was an important one to the district and the shipping that passed the coast. Although the gazetted time for handing over the .light was not till Monday they had anticipated that date and he had much pleasure, on behalf of the Government, in handing it over to the Harbor Board. Tire first light erected on Tuahine Point was a small lamp known as the Norwegian lamp, of 50 candle power. It was given jby the Government free of cost to the Board, which erected the tower and provided the cost of maintenance. Situated at an elevation of 138 feet above high-water mark it was visible at’, a distance of from 6 to 8 miles. The light was exhibited for the first time on the night of May Ist. 1905, and proved useful as a guiding light for vessels entering Poverty Bay. Unfortunately the lighthouse took fire on the night of the 26th July, 1905, and was completely destroyed. The cause of the fire was never discovered. The question of replacing the light was then considered. As it was found that the first light, though useful, was not of sufficient power, it was decided to offer a Wigham 3-wick continuous light, to burn 31 days, to the Harbor Board provided it undertook to defray the cost of erection and maintenance. After further consideration, however, the Government ordered from England a fourth order light to burn continuously for 40 days, as it was found that this would obviate the necessity for a resident attendant, there being no room on the site for a dwelling. The tower and all the apparatus arrived in Wellington in February of this year. The landed cost of the whole was £682. On arrival the material was sent Gisborne, and arrangements were at once. made for the erection of the lighthouse, the work being carried out under the supervision of the Resident Engineer for the Public Works Department at Gisborne. The erection was completed on 29th June, since which date the light has undergone a continuous trial, which has been in every way successful. It is, therefore, intended to exhibit the light on and after Monday, August. 16th, instant, from which date the Gisborne Harbor Board, which has undertaken the maintenance, will take it over. The light is a white occultating light, of the fourth order, the flash showing for

two seconds followed by an eclipse of six seconds. The light is at an elevation of 130 feet above sea level, and is visible from a distance of eighteen miles from seaward over *an area of 250 deg. between the bearings of about S. 37deg., W. and S'. 73deg. E. round by north. The total cost of erection amounts to £223 4s 6d. He knew, from personal experience, how necessary a light was on Tuahine Point, for lie, with others, had undergone a, trial of a most harrowing nature, and that perilous experience had, he thought, acted as a stimulant to the movement for the erection of the lighthouse. At all events, it might b© regarded as an agency towards* its obtainment. He was indeed pleased to attend the function, and to wish success to the Harbor Board. “May,” he concluded, “the lighthouse shed its beneficial light to the advantage of the shipping people, local bodies, and the vast travelling public.” Three cheers were then given for Mr. Carroll and the Chairman of the Harbor Board, and the party returned' to town.

The notice in last week’s Government “Gazette,” in reference to the light, reads: —“On and after next Monday night a light will be exhibited from the lighthouse which has been erected at Tuahine Point, Poverty Bay, on the East Coast of the North Island. The light, which is shown from an iron lighthouse painted white, at an elevation of 138 ft above high water, will be a white ocCultating light, flash two seconds, eclipse six seconds, burning acetylene gas. The light will be unwatched, and' will burn continuously without attention for about 40 days. It should be seen from seaward (except when obscured by the land) over an arc of 250 degrees between the bearings of about south 37 degrees west and south 73 degrees east round by north, and should be visible for a distance of 18 miles.’ The charts, etc., affected are Admiralty charts Nos. 2527 and 1 252-8, and plan 3321; New Zealand Pilot, eighth edition, 1908. chapter four, page 125; New Zealand Nautical Almanac, 1909, page 121.”

During the stay of the Ministerial party at the lighthouse, Captain Chrisp recalled the fact that many years ago a .large steamer called the Star of the Evening, laden with sheep and cattle, was Wrecked near Tuahine Point, on the Tatapouri Reef. Steering inshore to avoid the dreaded Ariels, the vessel struck the rocks, and a number of lives were lost. Then also the Sir Donald, another steamer, came to a tragic end, it is believed on Tuahine Reef, and although the vessel was never exactly located, a broken mast was found a short distance from where the lighthouse now stands.

THE LIGHTHOUSE. The Tuahine light is the first acetylene light erected bv the Government, and it viceupies a commanding position on a headland jutting out to sea. The tower is octagon in "sha'pe, rises off a solid concrete foundation to a height of 25ft. The tower is 12ft in diameter, and constructed of solid iron slabs. The lantern is circular, about 6ft in diameter, and the lens are divided into 11 bays, which are V shaped, to enable the light being seen at any angle. The acetylene plant, manufactured by Messrs Moves and Sons, Glasgow, " is declared to be one of the finest type made. The light is regulated upon a clockwork system to flash every few seconds. Even without the lens the light was observed 14 miles to sea, whilst the lens brings its radius up to jIS and 20 miles.

DEPUTATIONS. In the afternoon the Hon. James Jarroll received deputations in the Farmers’ Union Club rooms. The May>r (Mr. W. D. Lysnar) introduced the various speakers. The first deputation was from the directors of the Kia Ora Co-operative Dairy Company, and consisted of Messrs J. A. Caesar, A. F. Matthews, A. Graham, D. Dinan, A. Lange, and Owen Gallagher, who asked that a lairy produce grader be appointed for :he district.

Mr. Caesar, in laying the matter be:'ore the Minister, said that last year a

arge quantity of butter had been shipped from Gisborne, including 180 tons from the company be represented. The present conditions required tho butter to be bandied about eleven times, while if a grader was appointed to classify the butter at the factories a good deal of the handling would be done away with. The Kia Ora Company was prepared to contribute towards the grader’s salary if such an officer was appointed.

f Messrs W. D. S. MacDonald, M.P., A. F. Matthews, and W. D. Lysnar jilso spoke in support of the request. ! The Minister, in reply, said that lie recognised the importance of the dairying industry in Gisborne, and the many ‘advantages there would be if a grader was appointed. He would confer with the Minister for Agriculture on the matter, and Jet the members of the deputation have a reply as early as possible. The next deputation was from the Gisborne branch of the Farmers’ Union, to request that Mr. Carroll would use

his influence with the Minister of Railways to make an exception jn the railway regulations in the weight of corn sacks, so as to limit the weight to 2241 b. in place of 2001 b; or, if that was not possible, to excludo corn'sacks from the regulations altogether. Messrs W. D. Lysnar, A. Cameron,' Jones, C. Gibsoh, and Preston spoke in support of the request, and Mr. Carroll promised to bring the question before the Minister for Railways, and do all he could to have the wishes of the deputation' carried out. A deputation from the Te Arai Valley settlers, introduced by the Mayor, requested that a quarry site be reserved sat Papatu, and the roads in the settlement be formed next summer. I Messrs T. It. Lees, C. J. Parker, T. jlex-Blake, and others spoke in support the requests, and Mr. Carroll promised to bring the question before The Minister for Lands, and to use his influence to have both requests acceded

FURTHER ARRANGEMENTS. In all probability Mr. Carroll will isit the railway works at Otoko toay. Mr. Armstrong, Public Works Engineer, arrived in Gisborne on Satkday, and will probably accompany no Actirjig-Premior on his visit to the ke to-day. a Mr. Carroll, with a small party, will lave by special train at 11.30 this morjmg (not 10.30. as previously underload), on avvisit to the railway works iTo-morrow* evening the Actingprime Minister will be tendered a com|imentary social in the Garrison Hall, hen Mr. Carroll will be presented with I illuminated address from his continents, congratulating him on his action to the office of Acting-Prime linister. Arrangements for the social ae well in hand, the tickets are finijied and ready for sale, and a large rkwd is expected to he present. It us at first intended to have a short

musical programme, but it has since been decided to devote tho evening to dancing, and to have an interval lor the presentations at 1Q.30 p.m. Tho inusio for the programme of d? will be supplied by the City Band? and Wuj music for the extras by Mr. Wootton’e orchestra. On Wednesday morning, at 10.30. the Acting-Prime Minister will receive deputations from public bodies in the Borough Council offices... PROPOSED RECEPTION AT WAIROA. IPeu Tress Association.! WAIROA, August 14. Arrangements are being made to give tlie Hon. J. Carroll a fitting reception on his visit to Wairoa this month; also in connection with his assumption of the office of Acting-Premier.