The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 1912.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3497, 12 April 1912, Page 4

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 1912.

Tlie danger of frequenting the groyne, especially on the occasion of a heavy ground swell was brought forcibly home in a very sad manner yesterday, when a man and a bov were swept off the structure and drowned, and another lad barely escaped with his life. It will be recalled in this connection that as soon as the latest addition was made to the mole the Harbor Board showed that it was fully alive to the risk that would he attendant, under certain states of the sea., upon promenading on, or fishing from, the structure. Not only was a prominent notice board erected at the entrance to the groyne, but a gate was also put up with the object of restraining anybody from gaining access to it. To-day the notice board may still be seen, little, if any, the worse for its exposure to the weather, but the gate has long remained open, doubtless on account of the fact that it Has ceased to form an effective .barrier as it would be a very simple operation to clamber on to the mole at any point for some diet moo further along the structure. T t may be taken, we suppose, that at "t» next meoting the harbor authorities will consider whether it is possible to make the mole safer or whether it should be closed altogether to traffic. For our own part we do not see how tin risk of further mishaps is-to be entirely obviated if the public arc to be allowed to use the groyne. When iht structure was extended, it may be remembered, some railing was erected, but it was soon broken down by the force of the seas that are from time to time experienced. Along the mole life-lmoys and lines have been placed, and it is reported that yesterday these were found to be in perfect order, as they had only recently been overhauled. What clearly led to the accident was the fact that those who were so unfortunate as to be concerned in it could not have realised that the state of the sea was such as to render the groyne quite unsafe. The man who lost his life was, apparently, almost a stranger to the district, whilst the others who were washed overboard, being mere boys, might likewise not have previously taken note of the dangerous,manner in which the waves are wont to break over the structure when a heavy ground swell is being experienced. The difficulty in dealing with the matter is enhanced by the fact that with the exception of a day now and again the groyne is found by many a safe and delightful promenade, whilst also affording a splendid spot from which to engage in fishing.

Should tho Public Uso the Crovne?