THE PERILS OF SHIPPING REPORTERS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VIII, Issue 437, 24 February 1875, Page 3

THE PERILS OF SHIPPING REPORTERS.

The " Daily Times " Shipping Reporter committed an unpardonable sin when in the prosecution of his duty he passed certain strictures as to the unclean state of the City of Dunedin when she arrived at Port Chalmers in December 1873. At least the following colloquy which took place between said reporter and Captain Ross the other day, would indicate that the captain has no intention of forgiving the pressman for assuming to pass any unfavourable comments upon his ship. Here is what took place :—": — " One of the ships company was on the gangway, and blocked the way, and when, mistaking his motives, our reporter advised him that he was authorised to board before a ship was cleared the man drew on one side and our reporter stepped on board and was metby the master. < What are you doing here V said the latter with a bullying air ; ' get into the hoat again.' ' Then you refuse a report,' replied the reporter. ' Yes, you did me an injustice last voyage.; get into the boat' -* The responsibility of this, refusal will rest upon yourself/ said the pressman turning to go. ..'Over the sidegjrith ,you/ said the master. 31 ' I believe Fhave a right to inspect the immigrants' quarters,' said our reporter, by this time slightly ruffled at the reception- accorded him. ( Pitch him. over the side,' roared the, master, crimson with rage, and at the same time advancing to give effect to the order. There wasjfa move on the part of one or two of the officers to, it seemed, obey the order of their chief, and one of them insolently remarked • We have had enough of you.' *' And have not done with me rejoined our reporter, stepping back to the ladder, so on to the gangway, and ' over the side.' Thus , terminated a singular interview between the Press and the master of a merchant ship." I After reading this we naturally turned I. to the " Guardian " Shipping Report, and there we find that Captain Ross is everything that is good, and the ship is the pattern of cleanliness;— " After obtaining the necessary information relative to the passage, our reporter proceeded to inspect tht> accomodation provided for the passengers, and was first shown the single females' berth, situated in the after pare of the after-hatch. This compartment occupied by 28 persons, he found roomy and well ventilated, and kept in a clean and orderly condition. Its occupants, who were in charge of Miss Duffus, the matron, expressed themselves in terms of great satisfaction at^ the treatment they had experienced from Captain Ross, and the officers of the ship. From thence to the compartment occupied by the married couples, which was divided from the first by a substantial bulk-head. Here our reporter, despite the bustle attendant on the necessary packing preparitory to landing, found the greatest cleanliness, and the passengers berthea* in this part of the ship bore satisfactory testimony to the kindness and consideration shown them by Captain Rosa. Still further forward the single men were berthed, ample room being provided for their accomodation. A roomy and well-ventilated hospital was provided on the upper deck divided into_Two compartments by substantial bulk-heads. In a swing cot, vu the one on the starboard aido, a young man was lying from the effects of a broken thigh. His appearance gave satisfactory proof that all his requirements were duly* attended to Nothing could exceed the care and attention bestowed by Captaiu Ross and his'efficers with regard to all sanitary matters connected with the ship. Our reporter desires to express his sense of the courtesy displayed towards him by Captain Ross." From this report it is very evident the " Guardian's" shipping representative has a wholesome dread of being thrown overboard