THE S.S. HERO AND THE MARQUIS OF NORMANBY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4565, 6 November 1875, Page 3

THE S.S. HERO AND THE MARQUIS OF NORMANBY.

The following is the letter on the above subject mentioned in our Australian telegrams : "To the Editor of the Argus.—Sir,—My attention has been drawn to a letter from Captain Logan, reflecting upon the conduct of the Marquis of Normanby on his passage by the s.s. Hero from Sydney to Auckland. I was unfortunately a passenger on that occasion, and if the proper officer in Sydney had done his duty, Captain Logan's ship would not have been allowed to leave the port, as her deck cargo was absolutely lumbering up the ship fore and aft, to the great risk, loss, and inconvenience of the passengers ; and the owners of the horses, of whom there were three, lost very heavily through being compelled to throw overboard the major portion of the feed. The ship being so full the feed had to remain on deck, and got thoroughly saturated with salt water. The Marquis of Normanby had several horses on board, and his horse feed got so much damaged as to be totally useless three days after leaving. This was the first grievance of which he had cause to complain, and had it not been for the kindness of one of the owners of horses, who supplied him with feed, his horses would absolutely have died of starvation. As it was, upon landing they exhibited the most emaciated appearance. A veryconsiderable portion, also, of his Lordship's private effects were badly damaged, having been taken on deck and exposed to all the rain, spray, and traffic of the ship's company over them. The cabin presented a most disreputable appearance. All the enclosed cabins were fully occupied, as were also the sofas outside. Those who were outside were nearly always vomiting at meal times. The captain totally disregarded the comfort of his passengers; in fact, he absented himself from the saloon for days together. The ladies suffered considerably, and complained loudly. The opinions of the passengers, which were pretty freely expressed, were that Captain Logan was quite unequal to the difficulties in which he found himself through him and his agents overloading the ship. After some days' absence from the saloon, Captair. Logan presented himself at breakfast, and upon being addressed by the Marquis of Normanby most politely, he (the Marquis), in my opinion, was grossly insulted. I will, however, relate what occurred, leaving yourself and the public to form their judgment. Captain Logan said: 'You, my Lord, are the cause of all the unpleasantness on board this ship. lam an American, and cannot understand how it is that people in the colonies always rush after a Governor.' Captain Logan's manner was decidedly offensive. Lord Normanby replied: ' Captain Logan, the public will not have another opportunity of following me on board any ship of which you are Captain.' Captain Logan then replied: 'I suppose I shall get on very well without you.' Up to that time the Marquis showed great consideration for Captain Logan. Having been present at the foregoing dialogue, the Marquis asked me my opinion of the captain's conduct, when I expressed my astonishment at his conduct, which I considered to be utterly without excuse or justification. I thought he must be mad. The Marquis then showed me a letter he had received from Messrs. Bright Brothers' agents in Brisbane, begging him to go to Auckland in the Hero, and stating that they would guarantee him every comfort and accommodation. I am sure all my fellow-pas-gers will endorse my statement, that the Marquis of Normanby received anything but what he was promised by the agents at Brisbane, and instead of being further insulted by Captain Logan, should have received a public apology from Messrs. Bright Brothers, of Melbourne, who are agents and owners of the Hero.—l am, &c, A Passenger.—October 28."