PUBLIC OPINION.

Patea Mail, 13 April 1882, Page 4

PUBLIC OPINION.

Contributions, Letters, Inquiries and Answers thereto, are invited on Farming. Commerce, Politics, and matters of interest to the Patea district. Names of writers need not be Printed. THE STRANDED STEAMER. It is commonly reported that the new captain of the Patea steamer has been unfortunate as a commander, before he entered the service of the Patea shipping company. When a captain has had more than one wreck, he is considered unlucky. It is also reported that the new captain did not answer the signals well, in steering the Patea steamer into the river on Tuesday. Perhaps you can throw some light on these matters, as editors are supposed to know everything.

Consignee

Note.—What is “commonly reported* may be true or not, in this case. The cause of the Patea stranding will be officially enquired into, and the Pilot will be able to say whether his signalling was skilfully responded to by the helmsman on the steamer. Apart from this kind of evidence, the general facts of the case are so simple as to need no explan a tion. Skill is required, and some nerve, to enter the river with safety. The river had been entered with safety scores of times by the same steamer, under different management, when the entrance was narrower. The presumption is strong that “ some one has blundered.” —Ed. In reading the account headed “ Running Steamers Ashore,” it says the blame will fall on the captain, rightly or wrongly, this being bis first trip since he was appointed captain of the steamer. Now, I think it would be great presumption on the part of any person to say who is and who is not to blame, till we get the evidence at the enquiry. Fair Play.