RS TARARUA AND LOSS OF GOLD.

Evening Star, Issue 5588, 4 February 1881, Page 4

RS TARARUA AND LOSS OF GOLD.

TO THE EDITOR. gißj—l have just learnt that the whole of the officers and crew, including the captain, of the 5.3 Tararua, have been discharged from the Union Steam Shipping Company’s service on aoconnt of the loss of gold estimated at some L 5,000. I am at a loss to know why this injustice should be perpetrated on what I conceive to be honest men, until proved otherwise. Having travelled many times with Captain Muir previous to his being connected in any way with the Union Steam Shipping Company, and knowing that employers, Messrs M’Meckan, Blackwood, and Co., would not have recommended him to the Company’s service as a captain unless deserjjpg, I should like to know why such »*Ph#s injustice should be done him, as I understand the Company do not trust their captains to sign bills of lading, receive passage-money, or to be in any way responsible for cargo. The Company employ paid men, sailing them pursers, to look after all cargo and spee'e. 1 may say that all the travelling community who have bad the good fortune to be passengers with Captain Muir as captain, not only in New Zealand but in Australian waters, will agree with me that a nnre careful, obliging, and attentive officer is not easily to be secured by any company desirous of keeping up their reputation. Heoci lam led to Believe there must be some favoritism or rod-tapekm—or rather a spurious routine (imported from the Home Country) which win not succeed in this new Colony, that mast have been the means of ousting a worthy and respected man from his office. Sir, if the Company discharge their beat men in the reckless manner they are doing they will soon have cause to regret It, The Union Steam Shipping Company Is the company now, but a few months may make such an alteration that they may see the day when they may deeply deplore the loss of such a man as Csptain Malcolm Muir; and 1 trust, in the interest of the shareholders, they will at once place Captain Muir in his former position, and thus nullify the evil th*y have done, not coly to him and officers, but to those dependent upon them. I enclose my oaid —I am, etc., JUSTITIA VIRTUS E3T, Christchurch, February 2,