SCOW MASTER FINED.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 33, 8 February 1905, Page 5

SCOW MASTER FINED.

« NAVIGATING OUTSIDE LIMITS. Edwin Megerney, master of the Auckland scow Rata, was fined £5 and coats by Mr Wardell, S.M, this morning for taking his vessel outside the extended river limits without being possessed of an adequate certificate to navigate it in those waters. Mr S. Mays, who prosecuted on behalf of the Marine Department, stated that Megerney was allowed to trade within the extended river limits, but took the Rata to Katikati, which was about 30 miles outside. If his plea 'was correct that he was driven there by stress of weather, hi 3 duty would have been to telegraph the owner, and wait until a properly certificated master could bring back the vessel. As the defendant had a good record, the Department did not press for a heavy penalty. Captain Megerney explained to the Court that he was making for Whangarei, but the wind did not suit, and he went to Katikati, because he knew he could get a cargo of timber there. The owner of the Rata, Mr G. T. Niceol, was prosecuted on account of his ownership of a vessel which went outside the limits without a properly certificated man being in charge. Mr Nieeol said that he knew nothing about the matter. The Rata usually carried a sailing master, who was fully certificated, but he could not attend to his work on this occasion. Mr Wardell imposed a fine of £1 and costs, remarking that it was simply a case of technical responsibility, and not of deliberate wrong-doing.