OPINION AT LYTTELTON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6489, 18 May 1899, Page 1

OPINION AT LYTTELTON.

. THE LAW OF SALVAGE. As time goes on with no tidings, of the missing steamer Perthshire, the anxiety for the vessel's safety is becoming keener. If the surmise that she lias . broken her shaft or lost her propeller is correct, there are- hopes that the vessel, Deing unable to maintain steerage way with the little canvas she. can command, is still drifting about the Tasman' Sea waiting to be picked up by one of the many steamers that are now keeping a lookout for her. There now seems little reason to fear that the vessel, in attempting to pick up the south-west corner of this island, had' lound the rocks, for in that case some indication in the shape of wreckage would have been washed ashore. The general opinion at Lyttelton is that the vessel has become disabled, probably very shortly after i.eavirig Sydney, and in that case wind- anu current would ..combine in driving her away to the north-; ward, The' Tasman Sea between the Bluff .and Sydney wi^ be thoroughly searched, for any vessel that is lucky enough to fall .-across* the> Perthshire in the damaged state she must be in, will reap a rich harvest, in which both owners and crew will participate. No definite proportion of the value and cargo is fixed by law, but the award made by the Court' of Admiralty in the event of the owners of tiie rescued and rescuing boats being unable to agree is usually based upon the value as a standard. In the . case of a valuable vessel like the Perthshire the amount would probably be •not far • short of £20,000, with" several additionar thousands to be. divided between officers and crew of the boat performing the. salvage. /There seems- to be some doubt as to the rights of^ the crews of steamers performing salvage ""to participate in any profit in cases where the respective owners .settle between themselves the •amount to be paid for the- services 'rendered without the intervention of the courts of law. At all events such questions are frequently discussed in nautical journals. The questions have, however, been answered, and always in the affirmative or to the effect ttiat in any, case the crews have undoubted nghts> The whole point lies in the distinction between mere towage and salvage*. in the -former case the transaction is one in which the crew have no concern; it is then between the owners of the vessels, llie distinction between salvage and towage is pretty generally defined. When the vessel to .which assistance is given is damaged. ..not necessarily disabled, but to any material extent injured, the service must be regarded as salvage. It is to be hoped that v3 hC Qe?t tmr , days one of «» many vessels now entrawd in keeping a sharp 2 m /• A i Word - ™ the course of a sermon to a large congregation "atlnvercatßill on • Sunday ni.Tlit, said:— "You dl know what has suggested my subiect The present is an anxious time, and all through the week our thoughts have been rtwellin* on those 'm peril on the sen.' We have been saying to each otli«»r 'Is there any news of the Perthshire?' Eighteen ?Javs ago she was due in our port from Sydney, but still we scan ' the sea in vain. It is not for me to say whose duty it is to take the initiative, but I do. in the name of ■Christianity, say that the inaction has been . culpable, and it is high time that a steamer was sent purposely to zigzag from here to Sydney, and around our own coasts, to ascertain if the. good ship still floats, and ren-,-der help to the distressed who have been too long expected in our pert. Who is to bear the cost is not. a matter to be considered. We talk and -sing and boast about our sailors,' end, to .prove that, our expressions .aire nottaeria- claptrap or cheap reverence, not' another hour should pass without an effort being made for the relief of those on board,, and to allay, if possible, the speechless agony of friends on shore." Gold! Gold! Gold! Bright and yello.v, liard and cold ! Thousands of rich people would give all they possess for Natures wealth — "Good Health." Consupmp^on frequently starts with a nasty little coug/v A few doses of Woods' ureat Peppermint Cure will stop this or any other kind of cough. Yes, stop it at once. Alw-\va Jkeep a bottle in the house; the cost is only eighteenpenco. It saves doctors' bills and often funeral expenses. — (Adyt.) • Fashionable Wedding and Engagement (Rings, extra heavy 18ct gold. Deal direct ■with the manufacturers, S. Clarke and Co., •148, Colombo Street. New stock just opened up of Spectxicles to suit all sights. XJlarfer and Co., opposite Eeene's.— (Advt.) The proposal to form an Anti-Gambling League in Christcluirch is now talcing definite shape. The Minister's Association has the preliminary arrangements in hand, and a public meeiing will bo held shortly to ,£Shiblish the League.