ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

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

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

<r WE DOKOTID Bjrt?lFT OTLBSELVES IN ANY WAY Wttit THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED BY OTJB COBBESPONDENTS. ♦— (TO THE EDITOR OF THE SOUTHLAND TIMES). Sir, — Being an eye-witness to the pitiful condition of the survivors of the ill-fated ship G-eneral Grant alone induces me to pen the following, that action may he taken by the authorities without delay to do something mora than has hitherto been done to alleviate the sufferings of those who may in future be castaway on those Islands. I would respectfully suggest that a beacon (of Btone, being easily procurable and lasting) be erected on the most suitable position at Port Boss, and that a depot of the following provisions be deposited in hermetically sealed packages, viz., flour, oatmeal, biscuit, tea, supar, blankets, I slops, axes, tomahawks, matches, medicines, and a few useful books, writing materials, and the last, but not least, to distribute through the islands (and they might be placed with advantage on the Campbells, Antipodes, and Bounty Islands) a few dozen of native emus (commonly known as | wood emus) ; being natives of a similar climate, hardy, prolific, nutritious, and easily caught, they would be a more ready means of subsistence to shipwrecked persons than hunting for seal and pigs. The island also abounds with food suitable for them. Of the.goata JefiVby tto S.S. Victoria, but few have been seen. The oaks and trees, where not dead, are without growth. Of the domestic fowls landed by the p.s. Southland, all are dead j and of the seeds planted, none have come up. I am, &c, &c, J. P. Meadows. Invercargill, 13th January, 18bo.