ECHOES FROM THE CAFE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1355, 8 March 1881, Page 3

ECHOES FROM THE CAFE.

MtfCH surprise was felt, especially among nautical men, at the result of the enquiry with reference to the collision between the Union Company's s.s. Albion ami the schooner Isabella Pratt, the decision of the Court being that no blame could be attached to the captain and officers of the Albion, whose certificates were returned. It seems to me that if a proper look-out had been kept on both vessels, each should have been observed by the other when they were' at least three miles apart. My reason for this opinion is, that eight days before the casualty took place I was at Rangitoto, and ai-oso at 20- minutes past 4 o'clock — the time at which the collision took place— and while dressing I could distinguish the houses on the North Shore, between four and five miles distant. Eight days would not make a deal of diffeicnce in the amount of light, the mornings being equally clear, as they were, so X feel quite satisfied that, had a proper look-out "been kept, each should have been observed by the other at a distance of at least three miles, even allowing for the fact that a vessel is not as easily distinguished as a house. I have heard it stated that six of the sailora who went away in the Albion were ready to swear that the' schooner was observed from the deck of the steamer five minutes before the collision took place; but I doubt the accuracy of the statement, as I feel sure that had even one of the seamen been prepared to give such evidence, he would have been detained to give evidence. The following extraordinary advertisement appeared in a recent issue , of the Hemld :— I, William Soloinan, wish the public to know that I am not a thief and a rogue fiom the Islaud of St Helvna, having fought at the Cape for Sir George Grey, and Colonel Whitmore and Yon Tcmpsky in New Zealand —I should like to know who William Soloman is, also who, if anyone, accused him of being a thief and a rogue from the Island of St Helvna, wherever that may be. Of course, if he was in any way connected with the two renowned members of the Grey Ministry, whose names he mentions, he must be respectable. The advertisement, appearing as it does without previous provocation or accusation, would induce me to offer Sir George Grey's friend, a free translation of a French proveib. He who docs himself excuse, Often docs himself accuse. The governors of the Grammar School began on Friday last, the enquiry into the Purchas charges. The only witnesses examined were Mr Purchas's three sons, and their evidence proved very little. Mr Purchas said that he could mention forty witnesses who could give evidence in support of his charges, but that half of them would not give evidence unless they were foiced to do so. He theiefore requested the Governors to obtain authority to summons witnesses and to examine them on oath, which the Board decided to do. On Monday evening the masters of the Grammar School were examined, but the only one of them whose evidence tended to strongly prove Purchas' allegations was Mr Tomlin«on, and he showed such an amount of personal animus against Mr Macrae, who has on more than one occasion declined to recommend the Board to inciease Mr Tomlinsons salary that his evidence had not much weight. On Tuesday evening Mr McArthur, tho headmaster of the Normal School, who was formerly one of the masters of the Grammar School, gavo evidence in suppoit of the charges, but it was evident thai he also was influenced by personal animus against Mr Macrae. When the enquiry will end no one can tell, but I havo no doubt that the result will be a complete exoneration of Messrs. Macrae and Anderson. The enquiry has done Mr Macrae, a ceitain amount of good inasmuch as it has caused a large number of his former pupils and the parents of former pupils to express their willing - ne°s to give evidence in his favour when tho general enquiry into the management of the School, which Mr Macrae has demanded takes place. The "Taupo has been raised at last. It was two years on the 18th of laat month since she was >vrecked, and I am very much afraid that she will be found to bo in much the same state as Paddy's #un, which xequired a new stock, a new lock, and a new barrel. It has cost, I believe, about £10,000 to raise her, and those who aro supposed to be authorities on theso matteis, sny that it will cost a similir sum to repair her. lam not qualified to express an opinion on tho subject, being what sailors call a land lubber, (not a land-shark) but I do know that if she will have cost £20,000 before she is ready for sea, her present owners will find that they have made a very poor bargain. No ! lam certainly not a land- shark, ns all tlio land I posses? is considerably less than an aero. I only wish I were one, as the people who buy land and keep it seom to be the only folks who get rich. Let anyone who feels inclined to differ from my opinion, write down the names of the wealthy men he Knows, and he will be surprised to sec how few of them have made money by following- their ordinary avocations. He will find that the very large majority have become wealthy by means of the unearned increment," about which so much haa been said dm ing the last few years, by colonial, especially Victorian politicians. The members of the Harbour Board indulged in a very large amount of talking on the big dock question at their meeting on Tuesday. One of them endeavoured to " wet-blanket the scheme by saying that nothing- could be done in the matter for two years. No one knowing anything about the constitution of the Board would need to be told that the statement was made by one of the members appointed by the Governor. The elected members are amenable for their actions to their constituents, and not one of them in the present state of public opinion would dare to throw cold water on this proposal, which is calculated to so greatly further the interests of the port and city of Auckland. Not so the nominee, members. They are practically speaking irresponsible, and^ follow the vagaries of their own sweet wills, and very nice will' o' the wisp chases they frequently lead them. It is mainly to Cpptain Daldy, one of tho nominee members" of the Board, that we aro indebted for the fact that the present dock is such a hybrid affair. It has length and breadth enough for a large dock, but nnt sufficient depth — the depth for a small dock, but too much' length and breadth. HoTrerer, there was a certain amount of progress mad& with, the large dock project at the meeting on 1 Tuesday, as a resolution was carried that the Board visit, inspect and report upon all sites in the harbour suitable for a large dock. ■ Bravo Auckland! I am very glad to learn that Mr R. H. Bartlett has received first prize at the Melbourne Exhibition for photographs. t My own opinion has long been that with the exception, perhaps, of some of the best American photographs, Ihave seen none to equal our local produc-. tions. » . f , - We have not as much ,reas®n for congratulating 1 ourßelves on the probability of Auclclanderfl beiag ' Bucqessf ul at the', 'Prize-Firing $A ,Nelson, , as -from present, appearances there seems very little probability of. any,, of- the representatives^ Auokland proper winning either of the Champion Belts.' > If either, cornea here it will I think; bo iwon.by a Thames man. t^>.