Original Correspondence.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 669, 9 February 1864, Page 5

Original Correspondence.

THB WEST COASf EXPLORATION

{To the Editor of the Daily Times.)

Sra —In regard to the right of naming the geographical features ot that portion of the West Coast, situated between Lake Wakatip and Martin's Bay, the following claims were considered in this office:— '

Mr P. Q. Caples explored the country between the Wakatip Lake and the sea, near Martin's Bay, during the months of January, February, and March, 1863. His report and sketch map of the same country were received at the Gold Field Office on the 23rd May, 1863. The map was adopted and drawn upon the official gold field map, hung in the gold field office, on the 10th September, 1863. Captain Daniel Alabaster entered from the sea that lake named Lake M'Kerrow by Caples. On the 12th June, 1863, and during the month of June he axplored the interior a3 far as the water shed of the Snowy Mountains, discovering the lake named after himself. The report of this exploration was delivered at the Survey Office on the 10th August, 1863, and a sketch of the lakes was drawn on the office maps at the same time- Dr Hector entered from the sea that lake named Lake M'Kerrow by CaDles, and Kakapo b' himself on the 27th August, 1863. and from thence he explored the country as far as the Wakatip Lake. Tin report of this exploration is dated I9th October, 1863, and the sketch map accompanying the same is dated the 10th of the same month Such being the facts, the privilege of naming the geographical features-according to the prac tice of surveyors and geographers, belonged to Caplts. The minute accuracy of his sketch was confirmed by that of Dr Hector.

I am, &c,

J. Gk Thomson, Chief Surveyor.

Survey Office, Dunedin, Bth February, 1864.

[Mr Thomson makes put a very poor case. It is absurd to consider sketches drawn upon maps hanging up at the Gold Fields Office, as official mapping. Mr Thomson would have been the'first to resist their acceptance, but for the verification afforded by Dr Hertor. This gentleman,ib is trup, states that Mr Caples, in his sketch, is correct in all the "main features," but one is not to suppose that a rough tracing eu ;h a3 that made by Mr Caples is accurate enoush for an official map. "Thereal groundwork of ihe last official map is Dr. Hector's, as any one can gee by observing the alteration made in the Canterbury boundary. In regard to > naming the places Mr Thomson's explanation is a lame one. We do not deny that Mr Caples and Captain Alabaster are entitled to great consideration, and as far as naming some place after each ot them, no one could We; raised an objection. But Doctor Hector's report was the official one, .and he had an official fight to give names to the places which he was officially dispatched to explore. Had an alteration been considered desirable he should have been consulted, and not advantage have been taken of bis absence to at the same time make asubitftution, and by implication throw a doubt on the official nature of his mission. We by no means desire' to detract from the credit due to Mr, Caples and Captain Alabaster. Perhaps we think a great deal more of their services'than do those- who, though they now so loudly praise theny would have left them and their reports to obscurity, bad it not suited their purpose to play them off against Doctor Hector.- Ed.D.ZVJ

THB FIRE. (To the Editor of t7ie Duly Tima.)

Bia—On t'je night of the fire, with many others, I was present in time to have saved Moran's and Casper's stores, &c, if we had had the means—a battering ram to drive down the two buildings betwixt Mr Hart's and Mr Moran's, then not on flre.: ; '•".. - A battering ram at small cost would demolish the largest building in the5 Province, whether of wood, iron, or stone in thirty minutes. As a further protection1 against firei I recommend to those having the power, to add to the plant of the fire brigade, four battering rams; their active captain would soon find an apt man for the management of each, volunteer workmen; jrould be founttonthe spot. Any buildi|[g^guU[ tfeen be destroyed to a few minutes, in majny eases erea if on fire, and in either case with gaiety to the men.

I am,,&c, ■■■■>-■/■/ A. Sbmlee,

Dunedin, «fch February, 1864.

/ |jpl LAf E FIRE. (2o {hej^ifo^ofihe. Dailt Times.)

Biß—Having*\earefully read the letter of Capt Rees in yourissue of this day, I beg spac« for a word in reference to a serious mistake mtach ; Mr Rees seems to makei in beingwso hasty, and mating such insinuations Mr ,J|ulß, It would doubtless "have b&n better ha 4 the testimoniaMW^ip^^ Mills? but surely Mr Mills cannot'help vthe omission, arid I believe that Mr Mills is such .a thoroughly godd-helrted fellow that he would have preferred the testimonial coining out in the manner I Hare suggested; but really Mr Bees has rusbedihto print without, I think, givrag.the public sufficient time to say what they intend doing to remunerate the Fire Brigade. That Mr Mills rendered the most valuable services all, I believe, are convinced. Every one who witnt ssed Mr Mills' bravery and skill. mus.t, have admired him, particularly iii the rescue of the howes out of the Boyal George stables at sach great risk of his own life. v vS. t There are many residents'here, too, who know of Mr Mills' heroism in Victoria on similar occasions. At Inglewood, Mr Mills was the complete means of saving several lives; at; a terrible fire there, arid there is one man now living in Dunedin who always speaks of him with feelings of gratitude, having»delivered him from the flames of the Inglewood fire,- , r , <■>■'■ ; But notwithstanding Mr , Mills' deserving merits, all must feel earnestly that Captain ilees arid the whole of the F«re Brigade iileserve to be very substantially rewardedifortheit%allaDt conduct on this and every ether oCisaaioiriWhen they are required, and I trust that something worthy of the cause will at once be initiated and success fully carried out. I hope Captain Rees and the rest of the Fire Brigade and. Mr Mills will join hands of good friendship, and reebnsider the case as to the resigning part f for Dunedin cannot in any case spare such an, invaluable body of brave and self-denying men.

Amioiha.

6th January, 1864.

THE LATE FIRE.

(To the Editor of the Daily: Times J

Fib—Seeing a letter in to-day's issue, relative to the distress caused to some of the sufferers, I think a public subscription might be set afloat by the valuable assistance of your journal, as the public were so generous in raising a large sum for one individual for rendering such assistance as any. friendly neighbor would have done on such an occasion, no doubt the gentlemen will subscribe a handsome sum when others will follow. A very distressing1 case came under my notice, where a man and his wife with five children were completely burnt out, with, not even a mattrass to lieton, nor a change of clothing for the children,"who were all in bed at the time. I am, tec, WIIMSO SjfIJSCBIBBR.

CHAMPIONSHIP OF 3PHS43WOBD {To the Editor of thtJ^ys .Times.)

Sir—Permit me to offer a few observations as regards Mr de toree's "Egotism" about the championship of JtHQi^jolonies; in your valuable journal. After his treatment of me while at the Dunstan I intended to have taken no notice of MrDeLoree. ' : ;..:. Now, when he knew I was about leaving town, he challenges me* I took it up, and wanted to play immediately, bnt he refused in'the presence of Mr M'Liskey and other-gentlemen, stating he Wantedsix weeks'practice. 3 • / , , , , ; Now, Sir, to show you Mr de Loree's principles, allow'me to state he requested me to meet him at the Shamrock Hotel, and draw up sham articles fora public entertainment for hIOO a-side, the profit»*b;be equally divided. I scouted the idea, and lefirMm in disgust, sayingf if he wished to make a oona tide match lor LIOO with me he could do so at Mr M'Liskey's. Indeed, I was so anxious to get up a match that I offered to play him in private before twelve of his own friends and twelve.of mine, for a supper for the company, to wscsl he objected^ ioio. i I mitj|fcsay that of the large number with whom I hayepJayed both in England and in the colonies, I have never received such treatment As from Mr de Loree. Now Sir, permit me to ask who is Mr de lioreer—what has he to show that he is a champion at all 'J He professes to b¥fe champion swordsman, and yet wants six weeks rprac(:ice. Craving your forgiveness for. occupying this valuable space, i ~ I am, &c, Qeo. Pabkee, Champion Swordsman and Bayoneteer Of the Australian Colonies. Dunedia, 3th February, 186 i.