THE LYTTELTON WRECK INQUIRY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3688, 28 July 1886, Page 3

THE LYTTELTON WRECK INQUIRY.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMARU HERALD. | Bib, — Referring to your leaung anicle m Friday's paper I had hoped that you would havo touched upon the Lyttello* Times' article upon tke results of the inquiry into the loss of the Lyttleton, but possibly you saw no good m threshing this old chaff over again. Still however there ore one or two points upon which many of your readers would have liked you to have written, and if you will generously afford me space I •will, as well as I can, direct your attention to them. The Lt/tteUon Times has ever grudgingly acknowledged the energy and enterprise of the people of South Canterbury m so successfully undertaking the harbour works and improving shipping facilities. It would suit it best -were every bale of wool and every sack of grain raised m the district shipped at Lyttelton. It regards national enterpriso from a narrow and mean point of view, and has m particular ever been ready to give every* prominence {m its columns to any accident or misfortune to any vessels m Timaru, or even coming to the place ; and it has always exhibited m other ways a sneaking|enmity to our interest. Knowing these facti we cannot be greatly surprised at what has now taken place, for this highly respectable Grandmother to Canterbury journalism, finding no other peg to hang a malicious libel on, attacks our Resident Magistrate -who presided at theJ|Nautical Enquiry upon the finding of the Court. I have no desire to teach our ancient maternal relative the way to extract .the albumenous contents from the calcareous envelope of that fundamental product of our domestic feathered bipeds, yet I : would advise her to make suro of her facts before writing m the samo strain another time. The assertion of the Lyltelton Times that there were^" Local leanings and a desire to save reputation* " is absurd m the face of the fact that Captuin Mitlton of Cbristchurch and Captain Thomson of Dunedin sat ou tho Bench m this case with Mr Beswick. This gentleman certainly showed excellent judgment m obtaining colleagues from a distance, as had local men sat with him upon the inquiry, there might havo been some show for theLylfeHon Times m making this silly charge. The next charge against Mr Beswick ia that of partiality. The words are " The results of the inquiry aro unsatisfactory and partial " and " In nine cases out of ten the Bench fails to do its duty " and again " The subject is worthy of the consideration of the Department of Justice." These words convey a grave charge and coming from any other source than they do might be taken as something very seriously demanding an investigation, but the Lytttlton Times is m the habit of finding mare's nests. Any impartial mind must acknowledge the judgment delivered by tno Court was m accordance with the evidence, and it was a most just one. Our Magistrate is m this oase taxed with "an indispoaition to convict and a disposition to lay tho blame on circumstances, and to dismiss with a few cautionary words." These accusations are far from true. Tho Court of Inquiry distinctly indicated the master of the Grafton as the cause of the loss of the ship. It had no power to punish adequately — no certificate that it could cancel, and the only thing possiblo for it to do was to lay the costs of tho inquiry upon those shoulders that should of right bear the burden. I cannot avoid remarking m this connection that the action of the Government since m deciding to relieve tho master of the Grafton from these costs and defray them from the " public money, truly makes this a scandalous miscarriage of justice Mr Beswick is appointed by His Excellency to administer justice here upon evidenoe taken. The Government has practically set aside his judgment and that of his colleagues m this case— snubbed them m fact — and why ? As tho muster of the Graflon was the servant of the Union Company (whose boat was used m trying to tow the Lyttelton) that Company has to pay tho piper for hi 9 mistakes. This Company is a powerful and influential organization and for that reason alone seemingly tho Government do not hesitate to offer a premium on carelessness and incapacity. Had some struggling Buip-owner been m quostion the Government would have seen him hanged before they would have gone out of the way to save his pocket. It is to be hoped some member of the Legislature will tako this matter up and cause an investigation into this shameful squandering of public funds. In conclusion no unbiassed mind can m the loss of tho Lyttelton find any argument against the safety and accommodation that this port offers. Silly old women will always be finding mares' nests, but wo trust to you, Mr Editor, to always put us right with the outside world. Apologising for taking up so much of your valuable space, 1 am, &.'.•,, M. J. Timaru, July 17th, ISSG.