THE WRECK OF THE S.S. TARANAKI.

Evening Post, Volume XVI, Issue 285, 2 December 1878, Page 2

THE WRECK OF THE S.S. TARANAKI.

_ A EXTRAORDINARY CONDUCT OF THE COMPANY'S AGENT AT TAURANGA. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Tauranga, 30th November. During the night tho Taranaki broke in two, and all hopo of saving the cargo is now lost ; iudeed, most of it is washed out, as the sea was washing from stem to stern. Captain Malcolm and his men returned from the wreck in one of the cutters this morning. The enquiry into the wreck will be held hero early next week. This morning a meeting of the passengers was held, Mr. E. T. Gillon iv the chair, when, on tho motion of Mr. Benjamin, a committee was appointed to draw up an address to Captain Malcolm, and a subscription was opened to reward those men who had distinguished themselves in saving property. This will be left to Captain Malcolm to distribute. About £45 was subscribed in the room, and this has since been increased to about £70. The agent of the company here seems very careless. No provision whatever was made by him yesterday for the accommodation of the passengers, and had it not been for the great kindness of private geutlemen many would have had to sleep in the streets. When the first boat left the wrack yesterday a large number of telegrams to the Press, and to relieve the anxiety of friend*, were sent by the purser, with money to pay for them. These telegrams the purser gave to the agent to send acruss to the Telegraph Office, diroctly opposite, but the agent did not send them, and when remonstrated with this morniog on his neglect, his reply was that ho had no time to be bothered with such matters. A strong telegram on the subject was sent to the raanagor of the Union Company by the chairman of the meeting. Several of the steerage passengers, who have lost almost everything, have no money, and are at a loss bow to get food. The company's agent disclaims all responsibility, and several owed their breakfast to private charity this morning. All the agent says is that those who like can go back to Auckland by the H a wea to-morrow, and down the West Coast to-morrow, while the Napier and Gisborne passengers must remain here at their own cost till the Hawea returns, about Friday next. The address to Captain Malcolm has been signed by almost all the passengers, and is as follows :— " Dear sir— We, the undersigned passengers from Auckland by the s.s. Taranaki, now unhappily lost, desire to express to you our heartfelt sympathy under the distressing circumstances in which you are placed. Most especially do we desire to express our heartfelt appreciation of the t-arc aud watchfulness which you displayed in the performance of your duty during the night previous to the moment of the disaster. To your coolness aud energy after the steamer struck, as well as the similar qualities displayed by your officers, especially Mr. Holm, wo feel that under Providence is mainly due the fortunate escape of us all from death or serious accident. The accompanying sum of money we place- in your hands, with the request that jou will distribute it amongst the men, lately under your command, according to merit. We would especially draw your attention to the exertions of the officers, of the stewards, and of the little training-ship boy in saving property. Assuring you once more of our undiminished confidence in your ability as a commander, and that in any voyage we should only be too pleased to sail uuder your charge, we are, dear Sr, yours, &c." [Here follow the name«.] A complimentary letter has also been addressed to Captain Baker, of the Staffa, for his prompitude and attention in rescuing the passengers. Auckland, 30th November. The Taranaki has sunk in deep water The wrock will be sold ou Tuesday. Capt. Worsp, on behalf of the South British Company, has left per steamer for the scene of tho wreck.