CORRESPONDENCE.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 953, 26 March 1872, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

While desirous to give publicity to the discussion of matters of public interest, toe are not necessarily to be identified with the opinions of our correspondents. {To the Editor of the Westport Times and Charleston Argus.) Sir—As a specimen of the gross ignorance on recent European events of many colonial editors, I send you the following from a North Island contemporary—"Though the bombardment of Odessa during the Crimean war was condemned even in England, th. j re is no recognised law of nations which protects purely commercial towns." Odessa never was bombarded during the Crimean war, nor was the trade with Russia stopped oue moment ; so far from it that Englaud paid Russia during the war£l7,ooo,oou annually, though her usual trade in times of peace amounted to only cG7,000,000 per annum. This, shows that it was a sham war, and, as Sydney Herbert said, "we appear to be in •accord with our enemy, and the reverse with our ally." Sydney Herbert, Secretary at War, has left it on record that ho ordered Odessa to be bombarded after the 10-is of the warsteamer Tiger, but that this order was countermanded by the row acknowledged paid agent of Russia— Paimeristou. Yours, &c, E. T.

NEW VESSEL-PEOPBLIiER. Mr Edward Smethurst lias procured protection under the Patent laws of New Zealand for a new principle for propelling vessels, which is likely to supersede the present screw and paddle. The principle is not only simple in it 3 construction, but will effect a considerable saving in fuel, and at the same time attain a greater effective speed. The invention has been submitted to several competent engineers and other authorities in New Zealand, and they have all pronounced a favorable judgment as to its merits. Money has been subscribed to practically test its utility, both for river and sea-going vessels, and, if found successful, it will prove that on the West Coast of New Zealand there are men whose practical ability is quite equal to that possessed by our ingenious neighbours of the Australian colonies, and even of the old country.