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Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 16, 14 December 1863, Page 2

<. The circumstance to which we referred in our issue of Friday, of the steamer Gothenburg having called at the Bluff, and leaving behind the mails aud a number of passengers for Melbourne, waiting there to be taken on board, has given rise to great public dissatisfaction, not only to the disappointed passengers, but to the mercantile community, whose Victorian letters have been delayed in consequence, until the arrival of the next steamer from Dunedin. This proceeding on the part of Captain Mackie, of the Gothenburg, certainly appears somewhat strange ; but while we cannot help feeliug sympathy with the large body of malcontents, we should not like to condemn Captain Mackie, or the agents of the vessel, unheard. St*ange as the act may appear to be, it may not ba unaccountable. \\ r e believe we may very safely ask all who have ever had occasion to come in contact with the present captain of the Gothenburg, to coincide in our opinion that few of the captains on the line between New Zealand and Victoria have earned a higher reputation for attention to their passengers, or for promptness and dispatch in the transmission of the mails entrusted to their care. In the present instance, it may have been, and we are, from the above-mentioned knowledge of Captain Mackie, almost certain., that it was from no ill-natured motive, or wish to put the waiting passengers to inconvenience that caused him to leave them. We have heard, since reporting the occurrence on Friday, that at the time the Gothenburg so suddenly quitted the anchorage, there was every indication of an approaching gale of wind, and to those who have had any experience of the squalls which arise at tlie Bluff, and the great danger thereby incurred by vessels getting out after they do commence, it will be unnecessary to point out that, if such were the cose, Captain Mackie could adopt no other alternative, consistent with the safety of his vessel and the lives of the passengers ho had on board. In tho c.-.so oi - thu thirty of forty passengers who were " left lamenting '' ou the shore, it is one of great disappointment, doubtless; but we think we are ii_rht in stating that ths con-tract between them and the agents of the vessel, for passage to Melbourne, is only a condition-d one, and that only weather permitting, or in the discretion of, or according to tlie judgment of the captain will the vessel call at the Bluff for passengers. Where the heaviest grievance exists — as the matter appears in its present light — is the great inconvenience which must be occasioned by the delay in the transmission of the mails. When letters are posted here to Victoria, there is no ''conditional contract" with the Postoffice authorities ; the public, on the faith of the postal notice that mails will -be transmitted to Melbourne by any vessel, send the most important advices, perhaps, and if any delay arises, it is only to the authorities they can look for a remedy of the existing evil.