THE Otago Daily Times. THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 1875.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4027, 14 January 1875, Page 2

THE Otago Daily Times.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 1875.

Since the burning of the steamer Amazon, in the Atlantic ocean, some fifteen or twenty years ago, we have not heard of so shocking a catastrophe as that contained in the recent intelligence of the destruction of the ship Oospatrick by fire off the Cape of Good Hope. We have no desire to search for words to express our horror at the fearful loss of life incurred, and so,putting mere sentiment on one side, we will deal with the hai'd facts of the case as far as we are advised upon them, and comment in accordance with the evidence adduced in a truly lamentable heartrending case. We are given to understand that the Cospa trick, with over 450 souls on board, left London a staunch well-appointed ship, and that when off the Cape of Good Hope she caught fire, and in less than an hour was utterly destroyed. Two boats were launched, and each freighted gunwale deep with thirty souls, pushed off from the floating furnace to seek such safety as might be obtained from the pitiless severity of the open ocean. One of those boats eventually turned up with three out of its thirty occupants living, the rest had died of starvation, thirst, and madness, the latter, no doubt, superinduced by drinking salt water. And the survivors ! what a narrative was theirs. They had subsided on the dead bodies of their comrades in misfortune. And yet the boat was only afloat, adrift, perhaps, would be the better term, for ten days. That such extremities of hunger and thirst should have been endured in that shore time leads to but one inference, viz., that when the boat left the ship she was absolutely unstocked with either provisions or water. The loss of the Cospatrick and its attendant circumstances induces very serious consideration of the manner in which the great movement of the age— emigration—is carried out in all its details, and whether everything practicable is done to preserve, under possible contingencies, the lives of the thousands of helpless creatures who year by year are committed to the keeping of the mighty ocean. We hear of wellappointed and amply provisioned ships that are duly surveyed and inspected, officially and otherwise, before they rsceive final despatch. Sessions of legislation have been bestowed upon this part of the subject, to ensure a certain fitness of things in connection with the transport of emigrants across sea, and taking the run of events year by year, it would seem as if the system in vogue was tolerably perfect. That this view of the case is generally adopted by the public is pretty plainly demonstrated by the wholesale emigration from all parts of the United Kingdom. The public displays no hesitancy in taking ship to reach whatever part of the world it may have elected to reside in; and, notwithstanding such disasters as tho?e of the Northfleet and Atlantic, the public on the whole has been reasonably well served. Still cases do now and then crop up, and unmistakeably indicate that the system under which emigration is carried out is not only not perfect, very far from being so. This latest case of the Cospatrick is very much to the purpose, illustrating as it does in a marked manner where one or two weak places lie. Firstly, the rapid destruction of the Cospatrick—destroyed in one short hour !—renders very patent the fact of the unsuitability of wooden vessels for the conveyance of emigrants, especially teak-built vessels, that material being highly inflammable when reduced to excessive dryness. The Cospatrick evidently must have been on fire fore and aft, sides, decks, masts, and geai-, involved in. one awful conflagration, otherwise an hour, or six hours, would not have sufficed in point of time to have insured such total destruction as that we are informed of by telegram. Now if the ship had been built of iron there would have been another tale to have t >ld, for, even, assuming that the ! fire obtained a firm hold of her, its spread would not have been nearly so rapid, and thus time to launch every boat and properly provision them, and perhaps also to construct a substantial raft, must have been available. Also in the case of a fire breaking out on board an iron ship carrying emigrants, its necessarily slow progress, for we assume that in accordance with the law made on the subject the ship has no explosive compounds amongst her cargo, would be mightily retarded by the efforts of the many willing- hands working to extinguish it. There would be no lack of labour with that powerful ally, steam, to back it, and therefore it would indeed be strange if in such a ship, properly disciplined, the fire obtained the mastery. We think we have said enough to prove that on one point at least the Imperial Government ought to resolve itself, viz., that wooden vessels be absolutely excluded from the list of emigrant-carrying ships. To take take up another phase of the question, we hear that only two boats were lowered from the Cospatrick. This we are not surprised at. The fire may have occurred at night, and the scene of unimaginable confusion and horror that no doubt had ensued upon its fearfully rapid spread must have obliterated any attempt made to preserve discipline or establish unity of action. But the question of how emigrant vessels are supplied with boats constitutes a very proper topic of argument. We have given this part of the subject some consideration, and are thereby induced to regard that section of the Passenger Act relating to the boats emigrant vessels are to carry as very like a delusion. Vessels are to be provided with boats according to their tonnage rather than according to the number of passengers they carry. A vessel of 200 tons, two boats ; between 200 and 400 tons, three boats; between 400 and 600 tons, four boats ; between 600 and 1000 (ons, five boats; between 1000 and 1500 tons, six boats; and seven boats for vessels of 1500 tons and upwards. There is no specification as to the size of the boats, their suitability or

otherwise is left to the discretion of the Emigration Officer. 3STow the Cospa-. trick, being a ship of over 1000' tons, would carry six boats ; and, assuming that each of those boats was of size sufficient to carry thirty persons, and that, we think, is a fair average to ( strike, they could, in the aggregate, only carry one i hundred and eighty souls. . The Cospaj trick was said to have had 469 souls on board y and therefore, assuming there had been time to launch every boat and load them, nearly three hundred people would still have been left unprovided with the, means of escape from either burning or drowning. It is evident that on this, .point .the emigration system is very weak indeed. Vessels go to sea trusting in Providence for succour, instead of making such provision as might be dictated by sound wisdom and policy to meet and overcome special contingencies. A remedy for this defect in the great colonising scLeme of the age is not far to seek, and is simply contained in the golden rule of not permitting a ship to carry more emigrants or passengers than she can provide boat or other life-preserving accommodation for in case of sudden wreck. How that other life-preserving accommodation might" be provided must be the subject of a future article. There was just one short passage in the speech of the Rev. Father Coleman which he delivered on the occasion of the presentation on Tuesday evening, to which we feel called upon to take exception : — Said the rev. gentleman, " Catholics here were doubly taxed— taxed for schools they could not send their children to as well as for their own ; but there was a fair and enlightened public opinion forming that would ultimately right that." This idea, in a less definite and ever varying form, is the same that has been ever and anon dinned into the ears of all who have listened to the speeches of Bishop Moran, or those of Father Coleman, on the subject of Education. It has always been the very great " injustice" done to our Roman Catholic fellowsettlers in Otago by being "taxed" for the support of schools to which they could not send their children, as well as to provide the means of supporting schools of their own. So often has this been repeated and reiterated that the Public School System of Otago is liable in this particular to appear to those at a distance as the very reverse of the fact. Let it be once and for all understood, therefore, that from the day the Bishop set foot in Dunedin till this present, neither he himself, no any of his co-religionists have ever been " taxed" a smgle farthing, that no rate whatever has been levied, and moreover, that no power whatever exists for levying such a rate. There are, indeed, other members of the community than these belonging totheßomanCatholic community, who prefer to send their child ren to schools other than those provided by the State. This often implies a greater outlay in the matter of Education. That additional burden, however, is usually borne without much complaining ; certainly from no other quarter than that previous ly referred to has this groundless, utterly groundless, charge come of " being doubly taxed." We have no objection, whatever, to urge against the friends of Denominational Education saying all they can in favour and support of their views, but this idea of any one section of the community being " taxed" for the support of the schools of the others is altogether out of place in Otago. This should be understood, and the libel not repeated. When the meeting of the City Council was about to break up last evening, Mr Fish mentioned that he understood it was intended to get up a Company for the purchase of the Gas Works, the Company to be .floated in Dunedin and London. Mr Reeves, thereupon, apparently to let it be plainly understood what such a Company might expect from the Council, stated that he intended to bring forward a proposal at the next meeting of the Council, that the Corporation enter into negotiations with the present proprietary of the Gas Works for the purchase of the Works, and that failing negotiations for the purchase being satisfactorily concluded, the Council immediately proceed to the erection of new Works. The 6000 acres of land in the Waikoikoi Hundred, of which so much has been heard lately through the attempt of Mr Logan to purchase it at £1 ptr acre, is again to be offered at auction. This time it will be put up at Lawrence on the 23rd of February next, at the upset price of £2 per acre. We learn that an application has been made to the General Government to have the telegraph live extended to Kaitangata township. It is to be hoped the application will be favourably entertained, as there is no doubt the line would uot only pay working expenses but would be of great benefit to the district, and might ultimately be extended to the Nuggets Lighthouse. As an instance of the reproductive character of such branch lines of telegraph, we might instance the one recently established at the Mosgiel Road Crossing. When first started only 30 messages were sent during the month, but ■we are given to understand that the receipts at present are considerably in excess of the working expenses. A meeting of the Provisional Directors of the Albion Brewing and Malting Company was held at the offices of Messrs Webb and Fulton, the agents of the- Company, yesterday afternoon, Mr Robert Wilson in the chair. The agents reported that the shares now taken up amount to 34,161 of the 40,000 required, and that these were distributed amongst 152 applicants, fully onethird of whom are publicans, hotelkeepers, and storekeepers, who may be expected to be good customers of the Company—the rest being chiefly members of influential business firms, and private individuals of high standing in the community. Promises beyond the number of actual applications had been received to a considerable extent, therefore the parties merely waited the announcement of the closing of the share list. Plans of the additions and alterations required, made by Mr M'Gregor, the architect, were laid before the meeting. The estimated cost of these was £2500. Enquiries as to the sum likely to be realised from the stills and other vessels not required for the brewery, had shown that ajmuch larger sum than had been expected would be realised for them, probably enoug to cover almost all the costof the necessaryalttrations. Statements, showing the probable expenses and profits of the concern, taken on the bares of the sale of 100, 150, or 200 hogsheads per week, were presented. These show that a very substantial profit can be realised, even if the operations of the company should be limited to the lowest of the quantities named, which is very unlikely. These have been subjected to the scrutiny of business men capable of forming a correct opinion upon them, and have been pronounced to be thoroughly reliable at all points, care having been taken tj estimate every contingency. Th^se statements had been prepared in consequence of the gross misrepresentations which have appeared in the public press, which they entirely confute. On their being submitted to the Provisional Directors those gentlemen expressed themselves as highly satisfied with the same. They can be perused by anyone interested in the concern at the

office of the agents. It was resolved that the share list shall he closed on Monday, Bth February prox., at 4 p.m. It was also determined to call for tenders for the erection of the cellar, in order ;that it may be pro. ceeded with as soon as the permanent directors of the company are appointed. The Presbyterian Synod of Otago and , Southland met at the First Church lasteven- | ing, and was duly constituted.. The Rev. ■John Allan (Inch Clutha and Kaitangata) was elected Moderator for the ensuing year.'; A lengthy discussion relative to the case Gillies v. Bannerman took place. A report of the proceedings appears elsewhere. The fisherman, Thomas Bisset, who was qpmmitted for trial on a charge of murder on Tuesday, was bailed out yesterday. A meeting of the Council of the Acclimatisation Society was held yesterday afternoon. There were present—Captain Boyd, Mr A. C. Begg (hon. Secretary), and Mr W. D. Murison (Chairman). It was resolved that an endeavour should be made to obtain a number of the imported birds which are numerous in the neighbourhood of Dunedin for distribution in the up-country districts. The birds to be obtained include starling 3, hedge sparrows, and linnets. It was also decided that young hares should be procured from the Palmerston district for distribution. It was reported that a number of the imported birds are being shot within the vicinity of the City, chiefly in the Caversham district, and it was resolved that placards cautioning persons not to destroy these birds should be posted in conspicuous places along the roads near Dunedin. It was stated upon the authority of some well-known Caversham residents that new comers are not unfrequently seen going after these small birds with guns. The abatement of a certain, nuisance at Port Chalmers has become imperative. We allude to the latrines and conveniences of the Railway Station, which, since the wash of the tide has been checked by the progress of wharf extension, has become very offensive. At the same time public convenience of the kind is absolutely indispensable, and therefore we would suggest that early steps be taken to seiect another and more suitable si'ie tor the offices above mentioned. The express accident at Look Out Point on Monday, will, it is feared, result fatally. One of the persons injured—a Dutchman, name unknown to the Hospital authorities, was delirous yesterday, and faint hopes are entertained of his recovery- The other two i men who sustained injuries are progressing favourably. Under the head of the Provincial Scholarship examination, High School girls' division, in our issue of yesterday, the name Miss F. E. Cotter should read Miss F. E. Grant. The West Taieri Rifles were inspected by Major Atkinson on Tuesday evening, and put through an hour and a-halfs skirmishing drill, which was accomplished very satis factorily. The muster consisted of Lieut. Black, one sergeant, and 16 rank and file. The arms and accoutrements were all in good condition. Two deserters from the ship Janet Cowan, named respectively Hans Nelson and Frank Hasman, were arrested at Bluaskin on Tuesday last, and yesterday morning were formally introduced to the Resident Magistrate of the Port. They were then remanded until this morning. Some time ago we stated that Mr Pollock was sinking a shaft at Green Island, on Mr King's property, for the discovery of coal. A seam was discovered, but not the main one. After boring 200 ft, a fine seam, supposed to be 20ft thick, has been discovered, having been perforated to the depth of 1 lift. In proximity to the trial shaft and close to the Southern Trunk Kailway, the main shaft is being sunk, which is expected to be completed in four months, at a deoth of 400 ft. Mr Pollock deserves credit for his perseverance and enterprise, this being the seventh pit sunk by him in the district of Green Island. The very extensive building operations that have been in progress for some monthß past at Messrs Findlay and Co.'s timber yard, at the corner of Stuart and Cumberland streets, are now completed. The building is entirely a new one. There are now carried on under the one roof steam sawmills—planing, moulding, tongueing and grooving—and the general business of a sash and door and furniture factory. The feature at first apparent is the ready access which drays have to every part of the premises on the street level, and the great advantages which are thereby gained in the way of quick and convenient dispatch. On the ground floor, in addition to the sawmill and the part taken up by goods to be forwarded from the establishment, there are builders' ironmongery i department, sash and door store, and large and convenient offices. The upper floor gives an immense amount of space for manu- J factoring purposes ; and here, not only the amount of machinery at work, but the number of hands that find employment is great. To guard against lire, water is laid on in three places on the floor. The whole factory, especially the upper floor, has a busy appearance. The new premises) are found to be exceedingly suitable, and are, of their kind, a credit to the City. On returning from the Bsaumont on Saturday (says the Tuapeka Times), we flushed a fine covey of partridges, numbering from 12 to 15, a short distance from Bellamy station. They appeared fine strong birds. It is to be hoped they will remain undisturbed for two or three years, after which time there will be lots of game for the fowler. The Switzer's Races will be held on the 4th and sth of March. The inhabitants of Havelock (says the Tuapeka Times) have for the past few days had a visit from a black swan. The bird has taken up its abode on the lagoon close to the town, and seems highly pleased with its quarters. It is quite tame, and some of the inhabitants treat it kindly in the hopes of inducing it to remain. It is no* known from what direction it came, but probably it may come from the neighbourhood of Tuapeka Mouth, where these birds have been seen on several occasions. It is supposed its mate must have bceu killed. The Melbourne Herald states that a photographer in Bourke street, who, perhaps, is over confiding in the honour of human nature, and does not demand the customary deposits from clients, has adopted an original mode of literally "showing up" customers who do not pay for tbeir cartes after sitting. Two portraits of a fashionably dressed lady, exhibited in the case outside his door, have the fcilowing. intimation attached : —" The who sat for these portraits is requested by the artist to call for them." The blank is the photographer's. Mr Ulrich (says the Lake Wakatip Mail) thinks well of the appearance of Otago as a natural field for gold. He was surprised with the sameness of the rocks to be met on every hand. The Blue Spur was altogether something new to him, and he thought it very strange if that bed of gold-bearing cement was the only one in the country. He said he had not the slightest doubt but there were deep leads in WetheKn stones and Waipori Flats ; and that there was every probability they would prove payable. He strongly condemns the narrow ripples used in the Blue Spur batteries, and upholds the system of drop wells used at Clunes, Victoria, as r-eiiig by far the best for saving gold. Waipori Quartz Reef received a

large share of attention, and he was highly pleased with it, an< i stated that he had not seen in Victoria or elsewhere a better denned wae. He has great hopes of the future of Warpon as a quartz country. \' : The Tuapeka Times states that Mr finch, of the Victoria School of Mines, arrived in Olyde on Monday, the 7th instant, and on the following day visited the Conroy's Gully Reef, which he pronounced a true lode and of a gold-bearing character. Healsoaaw the prospecting claim at Butchers, which he thought was not a quartz reef, and was unworthy the attention of miners. Several other objects of interests were visited, Mr Ulrich expressing himself confident that the abutting terraces of the Dunstan Range were likely to be auriferous. W. L. Simpson, Esq., R:M., and Mr Poble, accompanied Mr Ulrich, and pointed out the different objects ■of interest. The Carrick and Beudigo Reefs i are at present receiving the attention of this eminent, geologist. A newspaper correspondent at Portsmouth, describing the preparations in that town to welcome the troops from the Gold Coast, says that a huge flag, with the inscription " Welcome Home !" had been hoisted over the police station. It was fortunately seen and removed in time. Experiments have lately been made in Sweden (says the London Times) with a new explosive compound, which is stated to embody all the good and none of the bad qualities of every previously known explosive, than which it is also said to be more powerful. This new destructive agent comes to ub under the very expressive name of " vigorite," but the nature of its composition is at present kept a profound secret by its inventor, who is, we understand, a Swede. The sea serpent (says the Melbourne Argus) has again made its appearance, it having been seen by those on board the ship Carlisle Castle, during the voyage from London to this port. From the statement of those on board, it appears, that at 6 o'clock on the morning of October 17th, when in 45deg. north lat. and 12deg. west long., the ship steering W. by S., a large serpent crossed her wake about 30 yards' distant. The head, and about 6ft. of the body, were out of the water, and were distinctly visible. The head is described as like that of an immense snake. The length of the reptile could not be distinctly ascertained, but it .was considerable. The Rev. J. W. King, the sporting clergyman who won the Oaks and St. Leger, addressed the following letter to the Bishop of Lincoln on the occasion of Lis resignation of his two livings:—" Ashby-de-la-Launde, Oct. 19.—My Lord—l observe with pain that your lordship has thought fit to publish your last letter to myself. Your lordship is aware that I was unable at the time to reply in person, being disabled by an accident which has confined me to my bed ; but the publication of your lordship's letter compels me, at whatever cost, to do so now. Permit me, in the first place, to express my deep acknowledgment of the spirit which pervades your last communication, and the kind expressions it contains, and to assure your lordship that had your former letters been similar in character to this, you would have had no reason to complain of their reception at my hands. But your lordship must remember that they contained simply legal threats, amounting to notice of proceedings, and left me, as an Anglo-Saxon (whose ancestors laid down their lives to establish the Reformed Protestant religion), no alternative except the course which I pursued—viz., to refer your lordship to my solicitor. My lord, with reference to your present letter, it is true that now for more than 50 years I have bred and sometimes had in training horses for the turf. They are horses of a, breed highly prized, which I inherited with my estate, and have been in my family for generations. It may be difficult, perhaps, to decide what constitutes a scandal in the church; but I cannot think that in my endeavours to perpetuate this breed—and thus improve the horses in this country, an object of general interest at the present moment— I have done anything to incur your lordship's censure. lam fully aware—as I think your lordship must be, too, by this time—that legal proceedings upon your part would be powerless against me; and if, therefore, I resign the livings which I hold within your lordship's diocese, it will be not from any consciousness of wrong, or from fear of any consequences which might ensue in the ecclesiastical courts, but simply because I desire to live the remainder of my days in peace and charity with, all men, and to save your lordship the annoyance, and the church the scandal, of futile proceedings being taken against one who has retired for some time from parochial ministration, and is lying on a bed of sickness at this moment.—l rest, yours faithfully, J. W. King."