Correspondence.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 157, 12 November 1868, Page 3

Correspondence.

*- — ■. SHIP AHOY! TO THE EDITOR OP TUB STAB. Sir, — In your yesterday's issue you inform your readers of an accident that took place in Ly ttelton harbour to the Mullogh, 8 8., whilst she wa9 engaged l'ghtering the ship Hydaspes. The paragraph I allude to states: — " She was engaged taking on her deck several of the large railway trucks brought out in this ship, and. had five on her deck, and no cargo or ballast below. The swell caught the steamer and gave her a list, and, being top heavy, the

i whplti of rthe trucks were pitched overboard, carrying away" part of the steamer's bulwarks " Now Sir, I do not want to attach any blame to any of tho sh\p'« crew or to the master of the Mullogh. But this accident ought not to have taken place, if thingi were managed as they ought to be. What reason can be assigned for sending home for " trucks ? " Why not have them manufactured here ? Why not encourage and maintain our own population ? Have we not, amongst u», both employers and workmen competent to manufacture all such, articles ? Surely, yes. And I think all those who were at the Agricultural Show yesterday will bear me out. In Victoria, they manufacture all their railway rolling stock, and why not do so here ? I think it is the duty of every Government to try and keep as much'money in the country as possible, and not send it out of the country to purchase what can be made as well here. Yes, Sir, I consider that we have men here oompetent to undertake the manufacture of such articles, aud I consider that a Government is guilty of a great oversight in spending money elsewhere, when they can obtain the same article here as good and as cheap. Your obedient servant, TUG. Christchurch, Nov. 11, 1868: