OUR PROVINCIAL POLITICAL SHIP

Evening Star, Issue 3530, 16 June 1874, Page 3

OUR PROVINCIAL POLITICAL SHIP

To the Editor. Sir,—A 3 this session of the Provincial Council is now over, you will .not perhaps think it obtrusive in my offering a few remarks on the doings and conduct of some of the so-called hon. members. On the whole, the session has been rather a stormy one, and, until lately, it was really more a matter of party strife than actual business, with the exception of the question of railways (and that same question.has been queerly dealt with), and perhaps the reason why it ended in this way was that the late Government could not agree or work amicably together; hence the necessity for a change in our political ship, and our sagacious commodore, finding to his regret that there was no alternative left him, sent for Captain Reid (although that gentleman belonged to an opposition company), knowing well that that skilful mariner, if it was at all possible, would steer her clear of tbe danger and breakers ahead—which evidently would bring her to grief if left under the control of her mutinous crew, who seemingly at this critical time had lost their reckoning, and knew nothing as to her position. Captain Reid accepted the trust,, and has so far managed to sail her safely; but it seems he " finds her now in a leaky condition after the late heavy gales, and which leak was principally caused through tbe negligence of hey late captain in having overloaded her with railway plant, from which ha tries to exonerate himself by throwing the blame on his chief officer, causing that gentleman to retire from his position—which course he adopted to save the ship from disgrace, although at a great personal sacritice. And now Captain Reid finds himself in a carious predicament: some of his oldest and best men refuse to ship with him, as in their opinion the ship is not seaworthy ; hence he is forced to accept his present motley crew, the former captain acting as his chief officer, and that position suits better k® l " ship and company From some remarks that fell from this gentleman, he is evidently desirous of laying before the owners the particulars of a grievance between himself and one of the crew, hailing from the same city, over deck-sweeping. Should they both appear before the owners with thoir grievance, I have not the least doubt but that next voyage the deck-scrubher will be ele- • vated to the position of purser, as the owners seem to be aware of, and thoroughly appreciate his watchfulness over their interests.X am, &c., Coxswain! Dunedin, June 16,