SARAGOSSA WRECK.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 217, 10 September 1904, Page 3

SARAGOSSA WRECK.

(To the Editor.} Sir,—ln your journal last evening there appeared a letter from the firm of Russell and Soouers criticising my appeal on behalf of the crew of the Saragassa. The facts as elated hi my letter can be verified by members of crew bow staying at the »Sailors' Home. I never use-d the word ''destitute' , in my letter, which would imply that the men were without food or shelter. The Council of ihe Sailors' Home would take good care that the- men wore provided for in that mpect. With regard to the apprentices, the Hoard of Trade are, of worse, responsible that they are sent 'back to their port of indenture, ■but the fact still remains that the boys ihave lost their entire outfit, some of their cUest* costing as. uimck as twenty pounds. Some of these boys have widowed mothers. Who knows what the sacrifice must have meant to them to provide their sons with the necessary outfit for their long sea voyage? and now they are to be sent back home .minus their sea-chest. The. position of seven members of the crew is very hard indeed. These men have received their formal discharge in Auckland without being entitled to draw one penny in money. Several of the men can obtain positions on vessels at once, but cannot go to sea without a suiaJl outfit. With regard to the latter clause of Messrs. Russell and Somers ? letter, stating that the Shipwreck Relief Society is in existence to supply the needs of sajlors in the position of those referred to, this statement is misleading and absolutely incorrect. Before making an appeal to the public through the press, I telegraphed to the Dunedin branch of the Shipwrecked Relief Society through the Mayor of Dunedin, and received a reply to the effect that they regretted that the case of the Saragassa's crew was outside their jurisdiction. I also applied to the secretary of the Auckland branch (Mr Edgecunibe), and received a similar reply. I trust, Sir, that the public will extend to these men their sympathy in a practical way. Subscriptions will be gratefully received by Mr G. O'Halloran, jr., secretary of tbe Sailors' Home Council, Shortland-street, and I hope that a substantial sum will be donated to help these unfortunate 'men.—l am, etc, H. PEAKE, .Vice-president S.H. Council.