CROWDING OF STEAMERS.

Evening Star, Issue 3065, 14 December 1872, Page 3

CROWDING OF STEAMERS.

To the Editor. Sir. I was an eye-witness yesterday to the departure of the (Iol<t• •vi Age steamer from the Jetty on an excursion trip, and was astonished to see the numb 1 r of passengers that was allowed to go on boa id ; they were packed almost as closely as herrings in a cask. Surely, Sir there is some law to prevent the overcrowding of river, ns well as ocean-going steamers ; if there is not. the sooner the authorities make a law upon the subject the better ; and I would commend the matter to the attention of the Provincial authorities. There can be. no doubt the crowding of these steamers in the way that is done is very dangerous. Should the slightest panic occur, and a rush take place to one side of the boat, what would be the result ? Why perhaps a hundred lives would be sacrificed-to the cupidity of the Harbor •Steam Company. Again, when was the Golden Ago last examined by the inspector of steamers ? Is it certain that she is perfectly safe in the eventof her bottom coming in contact with any hard substance ? Ido not wish to bean alarmist ; but the results in the event of an accident would bo of so dreadful a character that, I think, it is time some attention was given to the subject. It would be little use crying out after au accident had occurred Failing other remedy, I think the Mayo)' should bring this matter before the City Council, with the view of some action being taken.—l am, &c., Citizen. Dunedin, Dec. 13