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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 916, 9 February 1881, Page 4

Messrs Kennedy and Bennett have sent us a letter on the question of the non-delivery of the Gisborne mail bag from the steamer Arawata on Sunday morning last. Our contemporary is partly wrong, and partly right. It is true that no Post Office official boards steamers for the mails ; but it is not certainly true that the “ duty ” of their safe landing has been relegated to boatmen. We were under the impression that the new arrangement involved the necessity of the Harbour Master, or Pilot—whichever is entrusted with the work—taking personal charge of the mails; and, although his absence would not be tantamount to “ relegating ” the duty, in the ordinary sense of the word, to his men; it is most desirable that any one but a responsible and duly qualified officer should have so important a charge put upon him. believe that some of these men cannot even read the addresses on the mail bags; but, even allowing that they can, that forms no excuse. But we fancy more blame attaches to the Union Company than to local fault. During the time the master of ft vessel, has authorised custody of mail bags, he is, ipso facto, responsible for their safety to the Postmaster General; and such importance has the Legislature attached to the strict performance of this duty, that it imposes heavy penalties for the non-deliverance of mails. In the present instance there does not appear to be any extenuating circumstances connected with the fault, on either side. It was the steamer’s duty. to deliver the proper mails, and the Harbour Master’s to see that he got those for Gisborne • and it is quite likely that the Government will see to such an investigation into the matter as is necessary. As a rule the Union boats are in too great a hurry; and. as far as the water management is concerned, they appear to too much disregard the convenience or in-

terests of any.bqt themselves. Cargo and passengers’ luggage are tossed and hurled about in a most .indiscriminate —not to say shameful-—manner; and if remonstrance is offered, a surly “ mind your own business ” is the response, as if looking after the safety of one s belongings is not “ minding one s business.” The livery of some of the officers sits uneasily upon them, and they comport themselves in a manner whose suggestiveness is that passengers are, pnder an obligation to them for being permitted, to go on board the same ship with them.. This, too, in some instances is shown by the more petty officers, although we are glad to find they are the exception and not the rule ; still, it is a noticeable fact that the same urbanity, and courteous desire to uphold the reputation of the company, are not,so recognizable amongst some Of the new hands, as they were conspicuous amongst the old. Taking all things into consideration, we trust, if culpable negligence is proved in the non-delivery of the Gisborne mail bag, that either the defaulting officer, or the company, will be cast in a wholesome penalty.