BADEN POWELL INQUIRY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 157, 29 March 1920, Page 4

BADEN POWELL INQUIRY

■ N ♦ [ THE COURT'S FINDING, Tho decision in the nautical inquiry regarding the' stranding- of tho coastal steamer Baden Powell oft' the , coast of Taranaki on February i'.l whilst, on a trip from Wellington to New Plymouth, was delivered on Saturday morning at the Magistrate's Court. The Court comprised Mr. \V. G. Kiddell, S.M. (chairman), and Captain \v. Cossns and Captain C. M'Arthur. Air. J R. I'rendeville, of tho Crown Law '■ Office, who was assisted by Captain . Stringer, of the Marine Department, conducted the inquiry on behalf of the Marine Department, and Mr. E. lv. Kirkcnldie represented the master or tho vessel, Captain 11. P. S. Olsen. In delivering the Court's decision the. chairman said that having considered tha evidence tendered in connection with the stranding of the vessel the Court found that in the absence of any definite evidence or knowledge ot no position in relation to the const, of the B unknown rook, bank, or object caus- • ing the damage, and in view of tho tact I that the course laid down and steered by the'master was a safe one under I tho .weather conditions then existing, it s was impossible to say that the casualty : to the vessel was caused or eontn- • bnted to by the wrongful act or default " of Hans Peter Sjolnnder Olsen, the ' master, or anv of the officers or crow. • The Court directed that the costs of ° tho inquiry "be borne by the Murine Department, ami allowed JB Ss. golici- : 'tor's feo for the master of the vessol.