A DISTRESSING CASE.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXVII, Issue 233, 14 October 1891, Page 2

A DISTRESSING CASE.

♦- — — — ■ . ■ ".'; :\ '. (Post, October 12.) : During the recent trip of the Hinemoa round the lighthouses on the West Coast of the Middle Island, and whilst she called at' Jackson's Bay,' a most distressing case came under the notice of those on board. A settler who had been induced to go to Jackson's Bay upon the glowing reports held out to him of the magnificent country, &c, came off to the steamer and desired a passage for himself, his wife, and family, consisting of six young children, the eldest of whom was only '. 14 years of age. The man explained that there was no work to be obtained at or near the Bay; that provisions were at a high price, and little to be obtained even at the ruling prices ; that he and his family had come over 18 miles, and had waited over a week for the steamer m the expectation of getting a passage to Wellington;.. that he had but little money, but was willing to give it all for a passage ; and that he bad' hopes of obtaining work at Wellington, where he had friends. If he stayed m the ' Bay there was nothing but starvation for himself and family. The man pleaded hard, but the captain, m consequence of stringent regulations, had to refuse, and it seemed as if the man was bound to a bitter disappointment, as he had hardly any provisions and no likelihood of getting any. The captain and | some of the passengers discussed the matter, and arranged to subscribe sufficient to buy a sufficient quantity of flour, potatoes, and biscuits from the stores on board, which will be replaced at Wellington, to support the family for a couple of months. When told, the man was most grateful, and resolved that all he could do was to leave hia family at the bay and procfted to Hokitika and try and obtain work. After he had gone ashore the captain, who was greatly concerned with the hardship of the case, remembered he was one man short, and sent a crew to the shore and offered to take the man on as a temporary hand to Westport or Wellington, so that he could then try and get his family away from the bay. The man and his wife, after having discussed the matter, decided that it was best that he should go on m the steamer and she stay at the Bay for a time until arrangements could be made for leaving. The sympathy for the poor family was considerably enhanced ■' when the boat's crew returned to the steamer and it was discovered that the woman's youngest child was a baby only two weeks old. Surely some latitude should be allowed the captains of the Government steamers to use their judgment m giving free or partly free passages to evident cases of distress such as the one under notice. It is to bo hopod the Government will take the matter up, and relax the at present over-stringent regulations.