The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1868.

Southland Times, Issue 882, 15 January 1868, Page 2

The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1868.

SnsrcE the fatal wreck of the " London " there has been no event calculated to enlist the sympathies and call forth deep emotion throughout Australia, as well as New Zealand, so much as the melancholy loss of the fine ship " General Grant," wrecked on the Auckland Islands. The account, which we publish in our other columns is a sad narrative of death, suffering, and hopeful endurance. We believe that no one can . read it without feeling a thrill of emotion more pungent than any words can express. The fact that over seventy souls have been suddenly hurried into eternity in near proximity to our shores, with no hand to. help, and that the few survivors were for nearly two years doomed to all the misery and suffering attendant upon being cast away, destitute of provisions and clothing, on a desert island, in an inhospitable climate, is matter for intense sorrow ; but this is to an extent hollow unless the mind is directed towards attempting to devise some scheme for preventing the future records of such events as we this day publish. It is inadequate sympathy to succour those who have suffered, to lament the loss of those who are gone, congratulate ourselves upon our philanthrophic proclivities, and yet neglect to consider what steps should be taken to prevent the recurrence of similar accidents or mitigate the sufferings of those that may be wrecked among the innumerable islands that stud the South Pacific Ocean. It' has long been known that many homeward bound vessels from Australia and New Zealand have left various ports with living freight and valuable cargoes that have never been heard of afterwards ; and from time to time information has been received by coasting vessels of evidence existing of wrecks on the Auckland Islands, which islands lie directly in the track. The last three years has proved that thesejreportshave not been fiction_-^e~fiißtory 0 f the sufferings few survivors of the " Invereauld," the " Grafton," and now those of the " General Grant," evidence the necessity of something being done to secure periodic visitations to these dangerous, rock-bound islands. A search ship should be at once despatched without the delay of organising a regular service. Mariners intimately acquainted with those seas, from long sealing and whaling experience — Captain Gelboy over twenty yeais — thinks it is possible, aod even probable, from the course taken by the mate and his crew when they left j their companions at Port J?oss, that they j may have reached either Campbell's, the Antipodes, or Bounty Islat-d, and are still there. Under these circumstances it appears an imperative duty for this Province to fit out without delay a search

ship to thoroughly examine all these islands. In a matter of this sort — life or death — no step should be omitted to determine the fate of these men, and ascertain as far as possible if other castaways are on any of the islands. The cost of a search expedition might be heavy for Southland, but we belieye tbe Government would be justified in carrying it out, and there is no doubt it would afterwards be reimbursed. The General Government would never refuse to aid in so noble an undertaking. Tf we mistake not, Victoria, and the other colonies, would be most willing to contribute their full share of the expense. If done it should be done quickly. There are vessels in port that could be at once dispatched, and no time should be lost in an attempt being made to rescue, if still living, tbe unfortunate men, and any others, who may be placed in a similar position. In the above remarks we have confined ourselves to pointing out what is necessary to be done. This fatal wreck, however, opens up a large and serious question. What provisions shall be made for the future ? Is it not the duty of the Governments of the Australias to unite in establishing a service to prevent, at least, the lingeringsufferings that arise from the marine casualities that | occur in these dangerous seas? It its j most certainly one of those responsibilities that it would be a crime to attempt to evade. There are war vessels that are almost idle. Cannot one of them be all told as a search ship ? If such cannot be done, is there any obstacle in the way of New .Zealand soliciting the co-operation of the Australian Colonies in the establishment of such a service. The trips of the " Victoria " and the " Southland " two years ago — although failing to do what the "Amherst" has done, discovering in a state of wretchedness a band of castaways — were not useless. The stores stated tc have been left on different Islands, have not been discovered, but the live stock appears to have increased, and materially contributed to sustain the life of those who have been so fortunately rescued. This is a subject that should commend the attention of all Australian Governments. Before concluding, we would suggest to the Government, the propriety of supplying the necessary funds to enable those who have been saved by the Amherst to reach their homes. Owing to the extreme length of our report oi the wreck of the General Grant, we are obliged to hold over the proceedings of the Provincial Council and other matters. We feel certain our readers will excuse us on this occasion, in consideration of the interest attaching to the thrilling narrative with which our columns are filled. Yesterday a telegraphic despatch of about two columns, relative to the loss of the General Grant, was sent from Invercargill to Dunedin. We learn that the news created great excitement The annual meeting of the subscribers to the Southland Hospital called for Monday evening, was very thinly attended. A sufficient number of subscribers required by the Act to constitute a meeting, not being present for the election oi office-bearers for the ensuing year, it was determined to adjourn the meeting for a fortnight. The small attendance was attributed to an important debate going on at the Council.