BEACH FIREWOOD.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1039, 21 January 1873, Page 3

BEACH FIREWOOD.

(fb the JSditor of the Westport Times.) Sib,—l notice in your advertising •columns one of those sapient productions occasionally evolved from the profundity of wisdom that marks the actions of our noble array of public officials. All persons are cautioned against taking drift-wood from the beach, by order of the Harbor Master. Now with all due deference to Captain Leech, who no doubt in this matter is but acting under authority, is not such a notice mere nonsense, unnecessary, and wholly ineffectual. Suppose that the worthy Captain, waiving the custom of his countrymen, in always saying that which is undermost, would for once express his candid opinion, would he not admit that It is an insane idea to fancy that the drift-wood could accumulate in sufficient quantities on the beach to form any protection to the town. Or supposing it should so accumulate there, and be of benefit, would it not be necessary to remove the drift-wood from the Island, where it blocks the free flow of the river and works evil ? Is it not unnecessary to caution people not to take the wood away, when every tide helps to lessen it? Is not the notice ineffectual to debar poor people from helping themselves to that which in every land under the British flag is their long accustomed and unalienable right ? Better by far to let them help themselves in broad day-light, than compel them by stealth to creep out at nightfall for their wee bits o' kindlin. The drift-wood cannot protect the beach, whatever Dr Hector or Doctor anyone eke says to the contrary. Yourb &c, Beachcomber. Westport, Jan 20,1872,