FLOATING COFFINS.

Auckland Star, Volume XI, Issue 3197, 20 October 1880, Page 3

FLOATING COFFINS.

(To the Editor.)

Stilt, — The lamentable loss of life through the wreck of such "a* miserably, unacawojrthy vessel as the Susannah, Godetrpy ill 0 a 'ncigh-oiirl-g' colony, has vividly brought to my mind the fact of thero being several vessels, either belonging or trading to this port,' of au equally inferior class, and Which will some day, sooner or later, become collins to those who sail in them.

! Tho barque in question was so entirely had that no Insurance Company in Sydney would touch her, yet surveyots were found to state that " she was a fit aud proper Vessel tft'earry coal or timber to any j>art of tho world." Here was a vessel, which,was, uninsurable, making at anchor 5 lot. ot water in 12 hours, allowed to go to sea on n long voyage, with 21 human beings ; on board; and'no Government officer to prevent such wilful manslaughter. What has just happened at Newcastle may occur Heio any day. I could point to three or four "floating coffins"; vessels literally hanging together, thoroughly roitea,^ and decayed, yet owners, yes, respectable owners,sail them; men who would look atkance at you if you ever suspected them capable of defrauding you of a penny—good conscientious, go-to-meeting men, but against whom the cry of the widow and the orphan will one day rise up in judgment, for their miserable money-making greed, in sacrificing human lives for the sake of rapidly amassing a few paltry pounds. Oh 1 that we had a Plimaoll here to Bhamo these grq&ly owners, and prevent-their sending such coffins to sea, or else officials who wo(p4 sternly do their duly. g , Hia men must work and womea must weep, ' Though stotms be BUddon and waters doop, j Anid the harbour bar be rolling. I -ll am. &c., "A Sailor's Orphan."

. October 15th, 1880.

J (To the Editor). j *M [ADTTI. Silt,—ln Saturday's " Observer " I saw that the " Muset,'.'"'gentleman was tho musical critic npon the Choral Society's concert of Samson. He was particularly severe upon eVejypne concerned.. Thop^ who wefo.pre«-seiit-ktioW whether,he was. or was'n'ot, " xjrrect in his judgment. With that I have nothing tor do; 1 should simply |ike;toa6fc! .two or three questions as to. his musical ability to cut up a concert in the way he invariably! does/ Has anybody ever heard What thia gen tletiian cad "do, either as a player, singer, or teacher! Surely amongst,, the many concerts that are given in Auckland, an opportunity"might lie afforded him of showing bis superiority Sn playing or singing over the lady and gentleman players aid singers he is always recommending to improve 1 I-know there is a great improvement needed amongst onr amateurs, and should like^t'word.of encouragement given them wieJvfh.y'deaerve it; but I, for one, hope to have a treat afforded mo some day ire list .aih^tp the superior (?) playing (and especially singing) of " Muse." Has any old professiobaPever heard ol him, anterior to! his settling in Auckland, .aa being «jplaycr or singer of'a high order?— I am, &'c, Australia. '

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