THE TAIAROA ENQUIRY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1415, 13 May 1886, Page 2

THE TAIAROA ENQUIRY.

The Taiaroa enquiry was resumed at 12.15 yesterday. Mr Travers addressed the Court on Captain Thomson’s behalf. He contended

that even if the course had never been altered at all after passing|Capo Campbell, the ship would still have passed land three miles outside Waipapa Point. Mr Bell’s assumption that the captain was mistaken in thinking be really had altered his course below the Cape waa not justified by the evidence, for they had Captain Thomson’s assertion that he did do it. [The Court here interrupted Mr Travers, and, after consultation, said they had no doubt the order to alter course was given.] Counsel went on to say that the master of the ship was presumably on the right coarse, and having confidence in his officers, he naturally would not think of looking at the compasses, especially when from 1 p.m. the second mate and then the chief officer were in charge. He argued that it was not fair to blame the captain, for that tncre were some important circumstances which had never oomo to the master’s notice. The chief mate was informed that land had been seen on the port bow, and it was his duty, regulations or no regulations, to have at once taken steps to put the ship in safety. He did not wish to speak hardly of the dead, but the stern logic of facts seemed to indicate that in the interval between

the first mate taking charge and the time of striking, great negligence had been shown by him, In all probability, by some error or other, the course was altered. The Taiaroa’s propeller always projected slightly from the water, whatever her trim, and gave the idea other being light, no matter how she was

loaded. This had been observed the very morning she left Wellington. He submitted the only point was whether there was negligence on the part of the captain in the interval between 0 o’clock, when he went below, and the time of the striking.

THE JUDGMENT,

Wellington, To-day.

The judgment in the Taiaroa enquiry was given this morning. Mr Stratford, after reviewing the evidence as to the state of the weather and incidents of the voyage up to the time of striking, said he found that the vessel was navigated safely up to 3.30 p.m., when the wind changed to the southward. The course ought then to have been altered to south $ west, and at 5 p.m., or thereabouts, the wind having increased, the master should have used the same judgment as he displayed in the Straits, when he allowed a quarter point to westward. The vessel being light, in the evening he should have allowed a point, and, moreover, (knowing he was on a lee shore, with wind and sea increasing, the leadsman should have been placed in the chains till the weather cleared. Had this been done at 6or G. 30 the soundings must have shown him he was too close in shore. The neglect of Captain Thomson to look at the compass showed a want of care, and ignorance of the responsibilities of his position. His certificate would be cancelled, but in view of the judgment, coolness, and courage displayed by the captain after the wreck the Governor would be recommended to re-issue the certificate providing the captain shall have served during the meantime regularly at sea as mate. The costs of the enquiry amounted to £33 Gs, of which £IG 10s would be charged against the captain, Mr StraTjrd complimented counsel for the forbearance they had showed towards the memory of the dead in conducting the enquiry.