THE ANN WILSON.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IX, Issue 550, 10 February 1858, Page 5

THE ANN WILSON.

Messrs. James Baines and Co., the charterers of the Ann Wilson, have written the following letter to the ' Times,' to exculpate themselves from the blame cast upon them in respect of that unfortunate vessel :— Sib,—ln reply to a paragraph from the ' Lyttelton Times ' in your impression of .yesterday, relative to the Ann Wilson, which, although not belonging to us, we despatched to New Zealand last year, we beg to say that the depositions only came to us by last mail, and we transmitted them immediately to the Emigration Commissioners, in whose charge they now are, and to whom we refer in justification of our conduct in the matter. With regard to overcrowding, it appears in evidence that the Immigration Officer at Wellington, mistaking the measurement clause in the Act of Parliament, divided the space by 25 instead of 15 feet, for in reality the ship had 15; passengers less than she was legally permitted to carry; and two iron ventilators through the top gallant forecastle are omitted. As for the supplies of food and water, we are quite prepared to prove that the necessary quantities went on board, and the surgeon admitted, on a second enquiry under the Passengers Act, that he had erred as to the medicine chest being inadequate, while the medical comforts complained of as deficient were afterwards found on board. These facts are in evidence, and we invite any one to examine them at the Emigration Office. Yours, obediently, Sept. 23. James Baine3 & Co.