Untitled

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Issue 10, 8 December 1877, Page 3

TO THE KDITUR OF THE SAMOA TIMES. Sib, —I will feel obliged by your insert- • iug in your paper a letter from the mate of jtho Canterbury, and also an ufliidavit of Mt. John Davis, in order that the public may see both sides of the case, especially as the Naval Court refused to extend to mo the justice of allowing me to call witnesses. I am, Sir, Yours obediently, W. J. Hunt. Apia, 6th Decombor, 1877. Mr. W. J. Hunt, Matafelo. Deau .Sin, —I beg to state for your information the following facts in reference to the condemnation, and sale of the schooner >. Canterbury, at Pugopago. A few days aftor we arrived at Pagopago, | Mr. Mair spoke to the captain, and told him that the best thing that he could do with the ship was to call a survey, and to have her condemned and sold, and that he would buy her iu for himself, and Mr. Eckford, and the captain refused to call a survey, but said that hn would take the vessel back to Apia. Captain Robinson then asked me if the vessel should be surveyed and condemned, ami I said no, the best thing that you can do with her, is to take her hack to Apia. Captain Wright, and Mr. Mair then requested me, as mate of the vessel, to write a letter to the captain demanding a survey, which I refused to do. 1 said the only paper that I would sign was a protest against going to .Savage Island, but that I was willing to go back to Apia, anil the rest of the crew were willing to do the same. The captain then drew up a protest stating that the crew refused to go to Savage Island, but were willing to go back to Apia. This protest was signed by the captain, mate, second mate, cook, and two seamen ; Jifter that there was a survey held, the vessel was condemned, anil sold after a few >hy* of the survey, ami bought by Mair. I am, &c, (Signed :) James Kelly, Mate, schooner Canterbury.

" 1 .John Davis of Mutafcle, Samoa, make ■oath and say—That on Sunday uight the 18th instant Captain W. (I. Wright made tho following statement to Mr. Hunt in the presence of Mr. Eckford and mysalf respecting tlio sch ler Canterbury. 1. Captain Wright stated that tho hull spars chains anchors and sails were only sold and it was understood that the cargo boat and chronoinnter were not sold. '2. That the twins of sule wore fixed by Mr. Mair and Captain Robinson such terms being cash on tho full of the hammer which prevented myself and other people present from bidding. :i. Capt, Wright stated that the survey was called at the instance of Mr. Mair and that after the vessel was condemned by the surveyor's she was recommended to be sold on account of those concerned but it was not said where she was to be sold, 1. Captain Wright stated that he did not go to Pagupago for the purpose of condemning the vessel nor was he employed by Mr. Hunt but that ho went there to do private business being reporter to the "New York World" and tho " San Francisco Chronicle." 5. That u few days after arrival of the Canterbury at l'agopugo Mr. Mair and Captain Robinson opened the cargo and sold goods to the amount of 168 dollars cash part of which was devoted to pay tho surveyors anil with balance 103 dollars the vessel was purchased, li. Captain Wright also stated that the whole transaction was a piece of rascality on the part of Mr. 11. A. Mair iu stating that the vessel and cargo were sold together and did he not even sell two guns (cannons) the property of Mr. Hunt to Manga and hud tho mortgage uiadu out in his own name." " I William Setwart Dunlop, Mariner, at present residing at Matafele, Apia, Navigator's Islands, make oath anil say— That on Saturday the 17th day of November 1 met Captain W. O. Wright at the International Hotel and I had a conversation with him in reference to the condemnation and salo of tho schooner Canterbury during which conversation Captain Wright stated to mo that tho whole affair was a perfect swindlo on the part of Muir thut there was nothing but hull and spars sold and no cargo."