THE LESSONS OF THE DISASTER.

Otago Witness, Issue 1950, 4 April 1889, Page 1

THE LESSONS OF THE DISASTER.

The Auckland Herald's correspondent in Apia, writing on March 19,j8&ys :— " Several rumours were afloat for the last day \or two that the Calliope had foundered outside, and also that she had got on the reef some distance up the coast, but all doubts were set at rest by her coming into harbour this morning, apparently all right. She is now the only vessel in Apia, Britishers cannot help being proud of their navy after all when they are composed of such ships as the Calliope has proved herself to be. They all admit that she is a noble ship and -that she was well handled. The hurricane and its results will perhaps, be a lesson .to other: countries not to send 6uch shells, with nearly worn out engines to these seas at ■this time of the >ear. The gale was no heavier than occurs frequently on the coast of New Zealand, and I feel perfectly sure that any one of Ihe Union Company's boats would have steamed put as the Calliope did.

« The great calamity that has occurred has of course put everything else in the shade, and we now have, to speculate on what effect it will have <on the Samoan question. The Germans have, suffered most severely here lately, both in property and lives, and I think there is no getting over the fact that they have themselves to Home, If they continue on Samoa will soon be a dear place to them, and I daresay the German Government - how wished they had never