WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1874.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 207, 23 September 1874, Page 2

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1874.

The subject of “ Vox’s ” letter, which will be found in our correspondence column, is one which, from the strong case made out, ought certainly to be attended to without further delay, and the writer deserves special thanks in bringing the matter forward for ventilation. Nevertheless, we think the subject somewhat difficult to deal with owing to the dislike mosl persons have to take “ the bull by the horns,” and make a formal charge in any particular instance before the Collector of Customs, whose duty it would then be to take such action as is necessary to protect passengers in sea-going vessels from discomfort, and inconvenience. It strikes us, however, that persons like “ Vox,” (who lias, himself, probably suffered some of the miseries he recounts so lucidly) should, themselves take in hand the reproving work they desire to see effected. So long as

passengers are contented to literally “ lie down with the ox,” and feed with the “ sheep in the fold so long as they are satisfied with being huddled together in an impure atmosphere, regardless of the laws of health and, sometimes, of common decency ; so long as they will quietly submit to domestic inflictions, under the name and guise of “ necessities,” which they would not suffer in their own homes — so long will they have their good nature, and long-suffering patience imposed on by the most barefaced exactions. And it must be remembered that the first step towards a cure is not likely to be taken by those who are not, themselves, victims to the disease That which landsmen —who seldom go to sea, and, consequently, seldom suffer —might object to as being contrary to health and the law of the land, has a very different effect upon those interested in the continuance of things as they are, and who become familiarized, by habit, and custom, with an easy contempt in setting the law and moral obligation on one side, whenever it is profitable or expedient to.do so.

Had “Vox” ms.de the same complaint to the Collector of Customs here, as that contained in his letter to us, an immediate effect would have been produced in the probable detention of the Pretty Jane, and the consequent delay and loss to both passengers and shippers ; but such a course is not, by any means, desirable. “ Vox,” like ourselves, doubtless, has no desire to take measures, which, while they may do some immediate good, must entail damage to the shipping interests of the port. Nevertheless there is something beyond even that consideration. Passenger traffic must be regulated in such a way as is best calculated to secure an ordinary amount of comfort and eonvenince ; it should not be made subservient to cargo, alive or dead, which it decidedly is when such facts as those detailed by our correspondent remain uneoutradicted.

So as to properly place this matter before the public we have been to the trouble of looking into the law as it stands with regard to the rights of passengers and ca rgo on board steamers, and we now give the result, in the two following clauses from the “ Steam Navigation Act, 1866”: — 16. It shall not be lawful to carry on board any such vessel as aforesaid a greater number of passengers whether deck passengers or other passengers than the numbers respectively stated in any such certificate and if the owner or master or other person in charge of such vessel receive on board thereof or if such vessel shall nt any time have on board any greater numberof passengers whetherdeck passengers or other passengers than the number respectively specified in such certificate the owner or t he master or other person having charge thereof shall forfeit, a sum not exceeding twenty pounds and shall forfeit in addition a sum not exceeding five pounds if a sen-going vessel and u sum not exceeding twenty shillings if a river-going vessel for every passenger over and above the number so specified in the certificate us aforesaid.

22. No horses cattle sheep or pigs shrill be carried on the upper deck of any steam vessel coming under the operation of this Act unless properly secured in stalls or pens to be erected for the purpose wit h the approval of the Post - niaster-Greneral who shall grant a general certificate for any such vessel of the number of horses cattle sheep or pigs which in his opinion may !>.. safely and conveniently carried on the deck thereof and no part of the cargo or of the provisions water or stores shall without the special permission in writing of an Inspector be carried on the upper deck excepting fresh meat poultry in coops or baskets anti fresh butter eggs fruit and vegetables in baskets or wooden packages and carts carriages and other vehicles and all such articles shall he so placed as not io impede light or ventilation or interfere with the comfort of the passengers and if any articles or greater number of horses or other animals than shall be certified by the Postmaster-General as aforesaid shall be carried on deck contrary to the true intent and meaning of this enactment the master or owner of the vessel carrying the same shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding fifty pounds. Here it will be seen that what we stated at the outset, that the persons who suffer most from the annoyance of overcrowding have the remedy in their own hands, is correct. A certificate of carrying-capacity is necessary to be kept on board “ in some conspicuo us part of the vessel,” as per clause 15, under a penalty of £5O to be recovered against both owner and Captain. This can always be demanded for inspection, and the passengers can satisfy themselves as to its terms being complied with. But clause 20 deals more particularly with “Vox’s”complaint, which, itappearsis not directed so much against an excess of passengers being thrust into a small space, as i t is against the herding of them in such close proximity to live stock carried on the same deck. The “ trueiiltent and meaning” of the clause is, undoubtedly, in support of the view that to load a steamer with a deck load of sheep as the Pretty Jane was loaded on Monday, which impeded “ ventilation, and interfered with the comfort of the passenger.-is a direct contravention of the Act, and the attention of the Governmentshould be drawn to thi matter at once, with a view to the necessary steps being taken to put a stop to what is a dangerous and inconvenient practice on board passenger coasting steamers generally.

Divine See.ices.—The Rev. Mr. Murphy will conduct public worship in Gisborne on Sunday morning at 11 o’clock, and at Ma’awhrro in the afternoon. The Rev. Mr. Root at Ormond, in the morning and at Gisborne in the evening. New Brew.-—We have toaeknowledge the receipt-, from Messrs. Whitson and Lion’s of a sample of their original brew, mid certainly pronounce-our fiat in its lavor, its effect on our palate not. having had the slightest influence over our judgment It is, perhaps, a little milder than those who drink Ale sparingly would prefer , but the firm ,we understand are brewing more than the one quality of beer, so that all tastes can be satisfied.

Pat Sheep.—The 500 sheep deported to the Auckland market by the Pretty Jane on Monday last were from Messrs. Harris and Ferguson’s flock, at the Arai. They were in splendid condition, and were quitted at the rather handsome figure of 20s a head, delivered at the station.

Public Conveyance.—Mr. Paviour announces that his new trap is open for public and private conveyance. It will run for the present in town, and as soon as circumstances will permit, it will ruu Io and from Makaraka twice a day. This will be a great boon to pedestrians. The Road Board announce that a piece of land 600 in extent, on Messrs. Johnson apd Westrup’s run, known as Tapatohotoho. and forming part of the Patutahi Block, will be leased with the other portion, previously announced, on Saturday next. Early Peas.—We were shown, on Sunday last, a very' fair sample of peas, grown in Mr. Steggall’s garden, in Gisborne. It is rather soon for so prolific a crop of early vegetables, and speaks well for the coining season.

Street Architecture. —Tenders are called for enlarging and improving the Argyll Hotel. The plan shows a great improvement over the present circumscribed limits for the accommodation of casual visitors, a detail of which we shall furnish so soon as a tender has been accepted. Death by Drowning.—A laboring man named James Osborne, who arrived recently from Auckland, came to an untimely end on Saturday last while crossing the Waipaoa river at the Rangatira block, on his way to the oil springs, in company with his mates, all of whom were under engagement to the Petroleum Company. Three constables have been employed searching for the body', but without success. All that is known of the cause of the accident has been furnished by Mr. Williams, Engineer to ■ the Petroleum Company’, who states that he was proceeding to the oil springs on the 19th inst., with some workmen, deceased among the number. On reaching the Rangatira crossing, Osborne’s horse stumbled, and unseated his rider, who suddenly disappeared, and was not again seen by any of the party. The river was much swollen and discolored at the time.