UNFOUNDED RUMOUR CONCERN ING THE ALDINGA."

Otago Daily Times, Issue 33, 23 December 1861, Page 4

UNFOUNDED RUMOUR CONCERN ING THE ALDINGA."

] On Friday evening a rumour avas exten-i sively circulated that a barque had just ar-| ri\~ed at Port Chalmers, whose captain reported that he had met the "'Aldinga" on her avay to Melbourne in a dreadful condition, from the effects of a fire that had only been extinguished with extreme difficulty. The report described the cabins as entirely burnt out, and one deck scuttled, but everything was safe, and the steamer refused any assistance that the captain of the barque offered. On hearing this rumour we caused its authors to be searched out, and avith some little difficulty ascertained that it owed its origin to a female who had returned by the afternoon steamer from Port Chalmers, where she said she heard the matter spoken of. As no one else on board the steamer, nor persons who had left Port Chalmers later in the afternoon had heard anything about it, we came to the conclusion that the report was unfounded, or rather avas a distorted exaggerated account of the fire that occurred to the "Aldinga" on her way to Otago the last aToyage. In Saturday morning's paper, therefore, we forbore to mention the matter, inasmuch as there not being time to send to the Port, aye could not absolutely contradict it, and making it public with a qualified denial of its probability, aa^ould only" have increased the evil the report avas calculated to effect. On Saturday Messrs. Dalgety, Rattray & Co.'s offices were beseiged by friends of passengers seeking information. With praiseworthy alacrity they caused a minute investigation into the matter, which is embodied in the appended communications with which they haa7e furnished us. It will be observed that the report is utterly destitute of foundation, and as Messrs. Dalgety, Rattray & Co. observe, is, " both unfeeling and mischievous." The offerof a reward for the conviction of the inventor: ofthe rumour, is somewhat obscure, as aye arej afraid the raising of false reports is not a stat-1-utable offence. j

I Dunedin, 21st December, 1861. To the Editor of the Daily Times. Sir, —A report having been extensively circulated to the effect that the Aldinga avas seen on fire on her voyage from this port to Melbourne, we have to begthat you will give to its enclosed contradiction, a prominent position in your Monday's issue.

sufumiarmmwHßi.'.i'.aw >'»'aeH'wviwi^ii"i»jiJu.^i>.Mwiij!wa*ii.iu.w.»i'iJM*wi'«NWM«BJ^>wiiiMiMt We have been at considerable trouble to ascertain the source of tlie rumour,, and sliall have much satisfaction in liberally reavarding any one giving such information as may lead to the conviction of the person avho ina rented such an unfeeling and mischie- .. ~.,—,.i.,i

We are, Sir, Yours obediently,. Dalgety, Rattray and Co., Agents, i Pro 11. R. Steavenson. I Port Chalmers, j December 21st, 1861. ! At the request of Captain M'Lachlan, s.s. Omeo, aye beg to state that having boarded all vessels that have "arrived here, since the Aldinga sailed, aye have heard nothing avhatever about that steamer, nor carev her name mentioned. J no. R. Monson, Tide Surveyor. ; H. Stowe, Acting T. S. . T | ' j I j