THE WEATHERSFIELD

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1819, 19 April 1888, Page 2

THE WEATHERSFIELD

(per press association.)

Wellington, April 18, The Magisterial enquiry Into the olroumotancea of the Btranding of the barque Weatherefleld, at Ohau, on the Bfch mat. was held to-day. JSo fresh particulars as to the vosael going ashore were decided, but expert evidence attested that after etroGg winds there was a strong Inset into the bight where the Weathew. field went ashora. The Oourt held thera waa a strong current setting into the Wanganul Bight, of which no mention was made m the New Zealand Pilot. There was no evidenoe •to shew that Captain Sherria knew or could by any ordinary means have known of this, and that although at 10 30 on the 7th ioat. he knew his position, at 4 a«m. when he should have been 15 miles north weat of Kapiti* he was actually running ashore at Obau. The Court held Captain Sherria took all ordinary precautions, and that no blame was attached to him for the stranding of the ship, and that It appears advisable that proper eteps be taken to verify the fact as to the alleged currents and that Buch information be published for the benefit of mariner* ; also that It ii desirable at <ho same time that an enquiry should ba mado as to the practicability end advantage of a suitable light being placed on Stephen's Island.