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CORRESPONDENCE

m. il* Ttj.’i-.. -i t _ rr r>_.. rr r* .. .. aw uj uic ml a writ a Jmy -X nuts.

Sie, —I embrace this as the earliest opportunity to tender you my thanks as one of the settlers of Hawke’s Bay, which I believe due to you for again bringing the wreck of the Soi/al Bride before | public attention in the disinterested manner you j have, and trust your suggestions will not be lost j eight of, but be fully acted upon by the mercantile I community of IS'a pier. ] The report of the correspondent of the New I Zealand Advertiser I look upon as a wonderful I production in relation to the conduct of the | Maoris at the wreck, particularly so with the ! report of Mr. Murray the pilot before me, as pub- ' lished in the Herald, and further corroborated by the testimony of Capt. Chariton and Mr. Tuxford, who were both eye-witnesses at the time, and were the first at the wreck, except the Maorics, whom they found actively engaged in assisting the crew to save their clothes and other things connected with the vessel. Both these gentlemen speak in high term's of the conduct of the Maoris ; and, by the way, I may say that neither are particular friends of the Maoris ; but still they say that on this occasion their conduct was very praiseworthy, and think any other statement a woeful mistake, or a perversion of the truth. But I suppose a great latitude may be allowed an editor or a correspondent. The question that seems most to affect the interests of Napier is,— was the wreck the result of neglect on the part of any one in charge of the vessel, or is tiio roadstead of ISapier of such an insecure nature that, under the circumstances, it was impossible to prevent the loss of the vessel. lam fully aware that these qu stions might lead to interminable disc ission, and shall rest contented by submitting a fiw straightforward questions, which you will no doubt kindly answer, having a number of nautical friends around you in port. What do men generally do whilst riding in an open roadstead, when there is evidence of an unmistakeable gale approaching such as we had when the Boy at Bride was wrecked? From the account published in the Herald of June, it appears that timely notice was given of the gale by the Fall of all the glasses, and other indications in the appearance of the weather. Under such circumstances, is it the practice to send down the top-gallant-yards and masts, and all top hamper, as seamen say ? Was this done on board the Royal Bride, or did she come to the beach all on end in seamen's phraseology? When on shore, were prompt measures taken, by the employment of all available means, to save as much as possible in order to relieve the underwriters ?

I might ask you if the vessel parted from the first anchor before the second was let go? Was the vessel sold the same day she came to the beach, and what means were used to give publicity to the sale ? Was the vessel sold before she was surveyed, or was she sold by the certificate of the surveyors, or, in plain language, was she ever surveved at all?

If a certificate of survey was procured, can you inform me what was recommended and what was specified for sale ? Were the ship and coals the only things ? Does iron or wire contribute to a general average ? or is it usual for consignees to take charge of the same? If consignees decline, and the goods are not sold with the wreck, and if Lloyd’s agent takes no steps in the matter in a port like Napier, where there is no receivers of the droits of Admiralty, is the Collector of Customs supposed to take charge on behalf of the Crown r

These and fifty other questions might be put, all of a similar kind, which would occupy too much of your valuable space and tire the patience of your readers; but 1 cannot close the present without saying that 1 trust your remarks will be taken notice of in such a serious affair as this wreck. 1 think if the misfortune of the Eclipse going ashore was considered a thing of such vast importance as to lead the whole Council to form themselves into a committee of enquiry, and summon witnesses to loirn t' e facts connected with the affair, that the present case is more imperative. Being of such magnitude in itself, wo now might Jearn whether the roadstead is insecure or not.

If no further steps are taken, then, as you justly observe, shut up shop. Yours, &.c., ANTI-CRAWLER. Namier, Sept. 21,15G3.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HBT18630925.2.10

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 141, 25 September 1863, Page 3

Word count
Tapeke kupu
798

CORRESPONDENCE Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 141, 25 September 1863, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 141, 25 September 1863, Page 3

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