STRANDING OF THE EGMONT.

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 113, 10 May 1876, Page 2

STRANDING OF THE EGMONT.

(to the editor of the patea MAIL.") Sir, —In looking over the report of the stranding of the s.s. Egmont, which appeared in your issue of the 19th ult., I was much struck hy a remark made hy the E.M. during the enquiry. Your report, says—“ Major Turner observed that he had represented the absurdity of the present station two or three times to the Government without effect. They would probably do something when a few more shipwrecks took place—till'then there'would 'be no change.” Now, sir, if your report be correct, and I have no doubt it is, this matter requires investigation. Here we; have the chief magistrate of this important ■ district bringing (in his judicial canacity) i a most serious charge against the Govern-; ment —that of wilfully endangering the; property and lives of the public. This is I truly a serious charge, and ought, - and I' hope will receive the fullest enquiry at; the proper quarters.- The site upon which | the flagstaff is now erected was approved; of by his Honor the Superintendent, the Provincial Secretary (Mr Kelly), by Major, Brown, and last, though not by any means; the least, Mr Wood, the pilot, and each of those gentlemen personally inspected the : site ; but Major Turner appears to know more than any of them, and, in his o’ -p' words, has represented tho “ absurdity” of! the station to the Government. I think,! sir, that in all fairness to the gentlemen; who took so much trouble in selecting the ‘ site for the station, the facts should bej known,'and-if they are all wrong, and the Government doubly- so, the recommenda-j tions of our R.M. should, in the interests! of the public, have immediate attention. 1 In any case, the R.M. having brought! a charge of serious -neglect against the! Government, there should be an enquiry. I arn &c., . , NEITHER JUDICIAL OR NAUTICAL.;