Correspondence.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 325, 15 August 1868, Page 4

Correspondence.

(To the JE&itor of the Westport Times and Charleston Argus) Sir : —I appeal to you as an exposer of grievances. The Charles Edward left Greymouth on Tuesday evening, with a large number of passengers for Brighton, who took their passage on the assurance of the agent that they would be landed there. On arriving off "Woodpecker Bay, however, the steamer remained outside, although the sea was calm, and there was no ayparent reason why she should not enter. After thus waiting about an, hour and a half the steamer proceeded on her way to Westport, the captain expressing his disgust at no boat coming off, and his determination never to call there again in consequence. As it was the boat did go off, to the usual distance, but the boatmen very properly declined the risk of going outside the bay on spec, seeing there was no earthly r eason why the steamer should not cotfTe inside. I can only account for the captain's conduct, by supposing him unacquainted with the locality, for any who know the place are aware that Woodpecker Bay is about the safest place to enter on the coast; being well sheltered and, having a good depth of water. In the old days, Captains Carey, Whitwell, Deare, and others used to enter, in almost any weather, and at dead low water, and the water has deepened since then. Instead of the Brighton passengers being landed where they had ought to have been they were discharged at Westport, from where they had to travel overland to Brighton. This was comparatively an easy matter to those having the necessary funds, but what is to become of the piles of family luggage on which a considerable freight had been paid. There are no boats plying between Westport and Brighton, and no dray road further than Charleston. Of course the whole expences thus entailed are monstrous. But this is not all, for it so happened that a number of passengers' including one or two families, were waiting at Brighton for passage to Westport, all of whom of course were disappointed, and had to get their traps &c, dragged back from the township. Trusting the narration of the above facts, will serve as a caution to others. I remain, Sir, Tours, &c, A Victim of Misplaced Confidence.