WANTED: A LIFEBOAT.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12145, 8 December 1908, Page 4

WANTED: A LIFEBOAT.

While there is not the slightest-dcubt tl at those who cross the Wanganui Bar in open boats should be punished in a manner which would prevent a spcond offence, the fact cannot be blinked at that accidents do occur. Such being the case, men are called, upon to rescue those whoso foolishness has put their lives in jeopardy. Under the most favourable circumstances the work of rescue is attended with peril to the rescuers, but under conditions inch as exist at Castlecliff, what can be said of the danger that is run ? As was,manifested on Sunday, there is an-absolute absence of life-saving apparatus at the seaside suburb. It is true that.a num-*' ber of lifebuoys are provided, but their usefulness is limited. If any life-sav-ing apparatus is needed it is a lifeIxoat, a thing that does not exist at Castlecliff. The Harbour Board certainly possesses a boat for the use of the pilot staff, but it can by no stretch of the imagination bo called a lifeboat. As was proved on Sunday, it is noihing loss than a death trap. Not only does it hang in davits situated quite a distance from the water's edge, but it is absolutely criminal to ask <a crow to put to sea in it. Not only is it a bad specimen of sea boat—so far as its constructive principles are concerned—but it is devoid of air charri-

bers which would keep it afloat in the flvent of capsize or flooding. The Harboui* Board has no justification for maintaining such a disgracefully inefficient craft, especially when need for its use may occur at any moment. We hopo that the Board will attend at once to tho matter, which is undoubtedly ono of urgency.