FORBIDDEN TO TAKE STEAMER TO SEA

Chronicle (Levin), 12 January 1948, Page 3

FORBIDDEN TO TAKE STEAMER TO SEA

AUCKLAND, Jan. 11. . . A seuoiid * dotaiiiiiig, onlor- forbidding. liim to t&ke tlie old 11)2 ton steamer Ruawai to sea again, was served on tlie uiastermaster, Captaiu 11. Stauaway, by ! Constable Hollifislfead, oi". Raw'eu-e, at Oliononi on, Saturday. Tlie Ruawai ieft Helensville for Auckland on Wednesday at'ter an darlier reteiitioh order kdd been issued and, according to the Marino Department, without a certificate of seawortliiness, After leaving Kaipara Harbour . engane trouble developed, and ruaking only one knot at tim-es, the vessel took about 28 hours to travel 60 miles. After striking the bar she entered Hokianga Harbour and reached Opononi on Friday afternoon. The detaining order served on the master on Saturday, was issued under the Sliipping and Seamen Act by the Secretary of Marine. Mr. W. 0. Smith, harbourmaster, and the Marine Department superiutendent at Dargaville, Captain J. M. Dutch," travelled to Opononi on Saturday to inake investigations. According to the Marine Department the Ruawai is not fit for a journey at sea. The owner was notified of the work needed on the vessel to bring her to the required standard last September. Two launches towed the Ruawai from Opononi to Rawene further up Hokianga Harbour, this afternoon and tonight she was tied to the Rawene wharf. Repairs to her condensers are necessary to adjust the engine trouble and it is intended to beach the vessel to see if any damage was done when she scraped the Hokianga "bar. Three members of the volunteer crew of 14 are returning to Auckland as they are expeeted to resume their normal occupations after the holidays. "