The Invercargill Times. TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 1863.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 17, 6 January 1863, Page 2

The Invercargill Times. TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 1863.

''Thkre was a ship." So said the Ancient Mariner, aud his words rung ia our ears as the report of the last " little | Bluff ac^ldeut" inadeitsappearance on the office table. A very short time since an article was published in our columns, which commented rather severely on the defective manner in which the maritime interests of Southland have been, uptothepresentmouient attended to.. We said 4-hat neither the New River or Bluff Harbour had been proparly surveyed, and we added that the system of buoying countenanced by the Trinity Board had not been carried out in the ports of Southland. Sodependant on her harbours is this Province, and so utterly helpless would she be ivithout them, thatwe must again revert to the subject. There is but little use in simply mentioning a grievance ot>ce, and then dismissing it from the mind without further trouble. It is best to keep on talking about it until some practical good has been effected. Such is the plan which we shall adopt in the present instance. An impression appears to be gaining ground that, owing chiefly to the very great impetus which the Wakatip Geldfield has given to this place, aline of steamers [owned by a Southland Company] and running between Melbourne and laver<eargill, would prove a pacing speculation. We would suggest that before these steamers are bought and paid for, some arra-ngements should be made to diminish the chance of their being wrecked almost within hail of Tay-street. It is a circumstance worthy of note, that some of the best ports in fhe world would have been almost worthless but for the exertions of man. Light-houses, buoys, moorings and a thoroughly good system of Pilotage will do much to convert a bad harbor into a good one. Every body is ready with the story that Southland has two very good harbors, nor do we wish for a moment to doubt the fact ; but whilst admitting that to be the case, we beg to remind our readers that accidents, or shipwrecks, whichever is the more appropriate word, arc becoming of too common occurrence. The question as to the cause of these mishaps naturally forces itself on. our attention. "We do not intend, if we can avoid it, to have a closer acquaintance than we already possess with the law of libel; but whilst speaking with all clue caution, no man. we believe, will gainsay the assertion that blame in this matter should attach to some one. We do not say that such a captain neglected his duty ; we will not even hint that any pilot in the employment of the Southland Government is incompetent; but we may with safety affirm that neither captains or pilots who are compelled to cuter tire Bluff or New River are given a fair chance, as things arc conducted at present. There is no doubt that a very considerable sum of money will be required to make the improvements which are absolutely necessary to be effected, before -tho.se two ports can regain the good character they used to have ; but this money should be spent without further delay. In another part of this paper will be found a correct report of t'iie manner in which the Time and Truth has been wrecked j we, however, will quote two or tlnee lines: — "At 5.40 Captain Slater wore ship, and stood in for pilot, as it was slack water at 6. The ship was then well within sight of the signal station, the weather being stormy but perfectly clear, Up to b o'clock uo answer was made from the station, where it was supposed a lookout man would be on the alert at daybreak ; neither was there any sign of the pilot coming off. 1 ' The rest of the story may be summed up in a few words: — '-The ship touched a de-ta-ehed rock off the point, the pilot then being iv the act of boarding." By 1 p.m. she had sunk in a little less than five fathoms. We do trust that au inquiry, properly conducted, will tell the public who is to blame in the matter. The Government have hitherto neglected the harbors of Southland. Saying nothing of the New llivcr, it appears pretty certain that with no lights, few buoys, and no properly organised signal - station, the Bluff Harbour will shortly enjoy the worst name of any port on the New Zealand CO St.