CALLIOPE DOCK DISASTER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 154, 29 June 1907, Page 3

CALLIOPE DOCK DISASTER.

(Continued from page 6.) HIS HONOK SIMS UP. When the Court resumed this morning his Honor summed up. After briefly touching upon the legal aspect, he said the central issue was the suitability of the blocks. It seemed that no blocks could be built to stand a lateral or horizontal pressure. The capacity of the blocks was to stand vertical pressure. The question was whether the blocks were in a condition to resist the vertical pressure of a steamer and whether the design, construction and position of the block at the time of the docking of the Mamari was sufficient and proper for a dock of the character of the Calliope. There were two classes of evidence given, and it might be called "rule of thumb" and "Science." What actually did take place, took place under •water. This particular accident was unique. He then carefully reviewed the evidence regarding the blocks. . One witness had stated, regarding the eccentric capping pieces, that he would call that a "drunken" block. His Honor thought that he might perhaps have called it "slightly intoxicated." Continuing, his Honor said that the evidence generally was in favour of the stability of the block. The question was largely the eccentricity of the capping pieces. It was admitted that it would have been better if they had been made the full width. It was for the jury to say whether that tendency was a negligible quantity, or whether that had any share in causing the accident. Evidence) "was strong of the fact that there was a careful examination of the blocks while the Kaikoura was on them.

His Honor said the plaintiff assumed there was only one cause of the accident, and that was the failure of the blocks. If the jury agreed that the stability of the blocks was sufficient to bear the weight of the Mamari, then they must assume that there was some horizontal motion and, therefore, they must not eliminate the suggested possible causes.