RACE BETWEEN THREE COASTING STEAMERS.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 62, 11 August 1874, Page 3

RACE BETWEEN THREE COASTING STEAMERS.

The Napier “Telegraph” gives the particulars of a race entered into between three of our coast trade steamers—the Rangatira, Star of the South, and Luna, Remarking on the subject, the Auckland “ Herald ” says : —“ The Luna being a Government steamer, the captain of her will be held answerable to the authorities at Wellington, theicaptains of the Rangatira and Star of the South will, we trust, be made responsible to their owners for imperilling their vessels. By some oversight the marine ordinances of New Zealand have omitted to legislate to meet the offence of steamers racing each other _ to the risk of cargo and the endangering of the lives of crews and passengers. It is possible that before the session is closed a Bill will be introduced to make the offence, when proved, punishable by imprisonment with hard labor added. We have before pointed out the loss of ships and lives caused by this very reprehensible practice. The Napier “ Telegraph” informs its readers that much interest was exhibited in the race, and many bets ranging as high as £SO were taken on the result of the event :—“ The Star of the South left Wellington at 3.30 p.m,, the Rangatira at 5.15 p-m., and the Luna at 0 p.m. on Wednesday ; the difference in the hours of departure being reckoned a very fair handicap on the respective steam powers of the vessels. The Star of the South, however, had the advantage of being thoroughly clean, having only been a week off the slip ; the Rangatira, on the other hand, had about three inches of ‘grass’ clinging to her bottom ; but as against this Captain Lloyd’s coastal knowledge was deemed a fair set off. The Rangatira passed the Star of the booth during the night, and at daybreak on Thursday morning had left her eight miles astern. The steamers arrived in Napier in the following order : Rangatira at 5 p.m., Star of the South at 7 p.m., Luna at 9 p.m.”