BALLAST LIGHTERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 1833, 14 November 1867, Page 5

BALLAST LIGHTERS.

(To the Editor of the Otauo Daily Times.)

Sm —It has long been my intention to draw your notice to the ballasting of ships in Otago, and now take tliis opportunity of doing so, more especially to a cose which took place today. A lighter, without a license, was taken alongside the barque Ethels, and permission was given to weigh her ballast into tiiat vessel; dt tho same time it waa blowing a gale of wind, causing a nasty ripple, and the lighter's permanent ballast marks token. Any man acquainted with the harbor of Otago, is well aware that a ballast lighter could, not bo properly marked in a tide rip and sea-way. This is a caso in point, in wliich shipmasters have cause to complain for tho loose manner in which matters are earned on in this port I know that the Harbor Master would not consent to such being done with any of my lighters. No; they had to be taken to a sheltered place, and weighed when it: was calm. And why weigh the lighter in question in a gale of wind and in a tide-way 1 I think, Sir Editor, if I read the law laid down right, it is to the effect that every lighter is to lie weighed-in and properly marked before they are allowed to be used ns Ballast, Lighters ; but in this case the law is i iff ringed on. Although I have paid two pounds por lighter for each license, I find that things are carried on iii as looso-a manner as thoy were before the Government took tho matter in hand. It appears to me that, by paying your money, you havo your choice. To set matters right, I think it imperative on the Government to appoint an inspector to look after tlie lighters from day to day, so that the stopping would have their rights, and licensed ballostmen protection. If such Was,the case, Otago would not bo so notorious for light weight in the ballast trade. ■ > „ •„, ~,. ' i By inserting tho above, yon will oblige yours, Wjc. Goxjhk.

Mil Gladstone on RKumotm Bigotry. —Mr Gladstono writes tea country paper denying a report copied from tlie Gospel Magazine, that ono of Mrs Gladstone's Hoiues for Children at Portsmouth was a " thoroughly Popish institution." Tho right hon. gentleman says that " Mra Gladstone has no * Homo' near Portsmouth, and that the story, ho far as it affects her, or as her knowledge extends, is false from beginning to ond." He then goes on to observe :—" The devotion of time, thought, and, -strength to the humblest offices of Christian charity, cannot, I know, appease the spirit of religious bigotry, or quench its insatiable appetite for slander. But this devotion is not too ..common or too popular ; and I appeal to the good sense of the world to discourage such proceedings as those of your correspondent, to which yon have, no doubt, inadvertently contributed. Our best Rociai interests aro compromised, when women,;trying to doT good to those in need, aro held up to public reprobated by silly or indignant 'statements,* which may be in actual circulation, far-and wide, without their knowledge, .and > aft wliich the! anonymous authors may pretty safely reckon ones-: caping the punishment and exposure they deserve.