South Centerbury Times, SATURDAY, JULY 8, 1882.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2897, 8 July 1882, Page 2

South Centerbury Times, SATURDAY, JULY 8, 1882.

The frequent recurrence of shipwreck is a matter for serious consideration, not merely by the authorities, but at the hands of the public in general. We are here surrounded by a peculiarly treacherous and stormy ocean. Our coast is a highly dangerous one. Our intercourse with other parts of the world, and our intercolonial and coastal trade are growing daily. This seems to point to the necessity for the best attention being turned to the cultivation of seamanship by the youth of the colony. The New Zealand Shipping Company, and the Union Steam Ship Company, have furnished the nucleus of such a provision. But what we require is, hardy fellows, trained to the management of craft at sea, and acquainted with the coast. One of the distinguishing features of Great Britain is her endless supply of gallant fellows in every port, who are familiar with the tides and currents, the shoals and rocks, in every part. Her pilot service and fisherman industry are unequalled, A nation so supplied is in a position both to carry on and extend her trade, and to feel secure from invasion. Take Kent or Yorkshire, Cork or Forfarshire, and on each of these coasts we find hundreds of men whom nobody knows, displaying the highest skill and most splendid bravery every day of their lives. They are able to pilot ships through dangers, and to make a good defence of the shores, and in the ordinary way these toilers of the sea earn their living by fishing. The presence of such vast numbers, form a fortification around the “tight little island.” In peace or war, in industry and in gallantry, they serve their country nobly, and furnish us with a model for imitation. There is no reason why New Zealand should not be girt about with a similar belt of skilled seamanship so that our coastal trade instead of being at the mercy of foreign going seamen merely, whom chance sends to our shores, may be carried on by men trained in these waters. Should war unhappily arise, there would be ready to the nation’s hand, a full supply of trained men to defend the coast. The way to secure these things is to encourage and support the training of youths to seamanship and arras, by training ships, naval volunteer brigades, boating clubs and every such appliance. Such a system well carried out would not only secure the ends referred to above ; but, in addition, would afford an outlet for the energies of our youthful population which at present can only vent themselves in riotous and disorderly behaviour. The discipline, the smartness, and the, trimness that are inculcated as a sine qua non in maritime life, would prove the beat of all reforming agencies. Certainly maritime service ought to be made as prominent a feature of our national life as rifle and artillery. We should like to see formed a Colonial Naval Beserve, which would be at once a splendid training agency and a formidable defence against foreign aggression.