CORRESPONDENCE

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 114, 11 May 1863, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE

To the Editor of the HaioTce’s Bay Times.

Sir, —In all speculative theories we can conceive the imagination taking wonderful excursions, and are not at all surprised to find the path of truth frequently forsaken, but how men in their senses can deny selfevident facts, I cannot understand. Just as true would it have been for the informant of the Hawke’s Bay Herald to have requested the Editor of that paper to say black was white as to say that the breastwork was not damaged. The fact of the damage is too plain to admit of denial—the breastwork stands forth as a prophet of truth and speaks in strong language of a collision and shows symptoms of damage ; but being public property, perhaps it will not be necessary to ask the Provincial Engineer to inspect the works, and estimate the cost of repairs, lest it should fix the responsibility on some persons. Can you, Dir. Editor, inform me what the custom in the Mother Country is in such matters ; as some say that the river pilots, or those better known by the name of Gravesend pilots are compelled to pledge their own responsibility, and find two sureties for the amount of damage that may be done while they are in charge of a vessel. Damage done to private property is soon set at rest, but the breastwork being the Government property there may be another mode of settlement, particularly as the Government servant was in charge at the time. Not being able to understand myself what is meant by clauses XYI and XXIV in the Harbor Regulations of Napier, by “ removing, injuring, or destroying any buoy, beacon, or sea mark, shall forfeit and pay the sum of twenty pounds,” you will much oblige me by teaching me to understand this matter rightly. Yours, - > A Boatman. 9th May, 1863.