To the Editor of the "Norra-Cursa Dairy News."
Sim,—Right glad am T, and Tam sure that many more of my brother seamen will be, to see your leading article of to-day about "The Lighting of the Coast of China." You very rightly give praise where it is due to the persons who h designed and constructed the existing lights. Some of them are splendid and of great assistance to us. But who or what pays for the establishment and maintenance of these lights Surely since 1869 (the year when the proper lighting of the coast was commenced in earnest) the increase of shipping has been sufficient to pay for a better system than exists at the present time. You say that for 30 years the greater number of lights established were designed and constructed by Mr. Henderson. Wasit economy or over confidence that put such important work into his hands? Take for instance the first sea light which was exhibited on the coast, namely Chefoo or Kungkungtao. It is 243 feet high and supposed to be visible 22 miles. But from my own experience and that of many more, it is seldom seen outside a range of 15' miles. And when seen of what good is it? It leads to nowhere. And if approaching it from the northward with a northerly gale at night, where is a ship to take shelter?
Tam, ete.,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.