The Lyttelton Times. THUESDAY, JUNE 2, 1864.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1244, 2 June 1864, Page 3

The Lyttelton Times. THUESDAY, JUNE 2, 1864.

There is something about the calamity of shipwreck which appeals most forcibly to the sentiments of benevolence and charity. Perhaps the traditional British dependence on and fondness for the sea has generated among us a peculiar interest in the fate of ships and seamen. The dangerous seas which surround our island home have been

for ages past the scene alternately of triumph and of woe to the sailor; and landsmen, rejoicing with the success won by the skill and devotion of their brethren, weep with them also when it is their lot to weep. Proud of her maritime superiority, harsh even to cruelty in the prosecution of duty afloat, England has always treated her seafaring people when ashore and in distress with peculiar teuderness. But there is a stronger and better reason for the fact than mere national custom and character. Those who go down to the sea in ships encounter the worst of perils. They carry their lives in their hands, and expose themselves to the merciless sea with what is at best but a frail protection from the winds and waves. And if life be spared, the risk is but little lessened. In the worst accidents ashore, if the sufferer escapes with life, he has commonly friends, relations, or neighbours, who have not suffered from the misfortune wliicli has ruined him, and on their help he has a claim. If he have possessed property also some will probably be- saved, and. be made available to him. And at least he is at home, j and is no more apprehiensive for his safety. But in accidents at sea, even though life be spared, and all on board the shipwrecked vessel be brought sale to shore, they are - strangers in a strange land. Friends and homes are left behind ; the property on board has probably perished with the ship ; and if there be any other, it is far away where no use can be made of it. Crew aud passengers escape the sinking vessel only to find themselves in the truest destitution, strangers and helpless, and it may be not yet assured of existence.

It is for this reason that all civilized nations have recognized a claim to hospitality and kind treatment on the part of shipwrecked men.. That sympathy and that help which none are bound by the common ties of kindred and companionship to give, are paid to utter strangers in distress under the wider bond of a common humanity. All nations which presume to call themselves civilized obey this universal law; and even among savages those are branded with the stain of the most degraded barbarism who disregard it. The islanders of Melita, to whom the Gospel of Christianity was not yet preached, rescued its apostle from shipwreck, and entreated him very kindly. Shall we Christians, who live under a special law of brotherly love and in the fullest light ot civilization, let its precepts appear less powerful than a barbarian instinct ? There seems some fear that we do so.

The brig Australia, with two hundred passengers bound for Picton, left Invercargill on the 15th of May, and after being nearly a week at sea, the vessel threatening to founder, they ran in to the port of Akaroa, and the brig was run ashore to prevent her from sinking. Some of the passengers are described as being in the cabin; but by far the greater number were in the hold. It is probable that they had not much to lose ; we are told at any rate that they lost everything, and were glad to Bave their lives at any cost.

So far as we can ascertain the facts, one hundred and seventy persons were by this accident thrown destitute upon our coast. Fortunately there was a small settlement at hand where shelter and Necessaries could be obtained, but the duty of supporting so large a number was far too great a burden to fall 'upon the charitable people of Akaroa alone for any length of time. The ease was one for public recognition ; it was reported to Lyttelton and Christchurch, and we should have supposed that prompt steps would be taken to succour the unfortunate whom accident had thrown upon our charity, out of the ample resources of the province at large. But ten days have now elapsed, and we regret to «ay that nothing or almost nothing has been done. We have no desire to lead anything like a popular clamour lor the wake of abusing the Government, or to raise a mere cry at their expense. On the contrary, wei wish, soi.fnr as any remarks of ours can have the effect, to induce the Government itself, before it is too late, to do what must be not only a popular but a righteous act. We may be m error as to the facts, and we hope we are. But we should be forgetting our duty if, for the sake of sparing the Government, we passed over in silence the case which appears against them, or ignored the need of explanation of the story told by public rumour. , It is stated that on the first application

M:-:- irtl iUK'O the OoVtM'limellt ivdifd iim hori/iiiiy the lic.-iuciil; Magistrate at .Akaroa to dispense relief in the shape of provisions to an amount not exceeding 1 wenty Pounds. Twenty Pounds! About enough to provide one good meal for each person! Is this the extent of the charity which Canterbury can afford to destitute strangers ? A man who has lost his all, and is east ashore on our coast, barely saving his life, is offered by our Government Two and Ttroprnci'!

Another application, that if no money grant were given, at least employment might be lound temporarily for those who could work, until they could either proceed on their way or settle down as they seemed disposed to do, was answered by a letter enclosing a legal opinion of the Provincial Solicitor, to the effect that the Government were not responsible, and advising the sufferers, it they had any case against the ship, to employ their own lawyers. A legal opinion! It is a precious benevolence that does no more than is compulsory, and doles out charity only under the pressure of legal responsibility. Canterbury is not famous for its hospitality ; but if this story be true and the stain be not immediately wiped out, we must be disgraced for ever. No doubt it is right to respect the appropriation of the Council; aud it is desirable to pursue a course of very strict economy. But the duty of benevolence is above all human law, and charity is before all parsimony. We trust that the Government' will have some better account to give of their dealings with the shipwrecked passengers of the Australia than will just square with technical responsibility and a legal opinion.