VICE-ADMIRALTY COURT.

Evening Star, Issue 4068, 10 March 1876, Page 3

VICE-ADMIRALTY COURT.

Thursday, March 9. (Before Deputy-Judge Williams.) THE TAIABOA SALVAGE CASE. The following additional evidence in support of the salvors’ case waS given Peter Logan,.marine superintendent of the Albion Shipping Company, stated that the s s. Taiaroa was the property of Mr James Gal braith, who was the managing director of the company. On the 10th December last witness was at the Bluff. On the morning of that day, about a quarter to nine. Captain Thomson made a communication to witness. Captain Fraser was there. Captain Thomson was the chief spokesman. Be was speaking about the Express going off. Witness said nothing until he left. Witness rejoined Captain Thomson, and went down to the whaleboat and pulled away to the Taiaroa. When they arrived at the Taiaroa they went on board. ' Witness saw Captain Spiegelfhal, and had a conversation with him. Witness had a look about the vessel, Things were not in confusion. Captain Thomson and witness consulted. together Witness gave evidence as to what ■ was dona on board the Taiaroa, mainly corroborating the evidence of Captain Thm sort. The Taiaroa would have, reached Bluff Harbor w thout any assistance. Even if the steamer could not go against the ebb tide, net position would not have been more dangerous than it was all the way ncros?. She could have been kept steaming against the tide, she could have been anchor' d, or a sail could have b en passed underneath to stop the leak. Aftei Ca ptain Thomson went into bis office in the morning, witness asked Captain Fraser, “ Well Charlie, wbat are you going to do? .Ate you going to get up steam ? ” He replied. “Yes and said he would be one hoar. Captain Thomson and witness decided that that would be too long to wait, and they went off in the boat, 'That was all the conversation. Captain Thomson was urging Fraser to get up steam. Eraser said be had his work to do, and did not care about leaving it, as he did not know he would be employed there; and he kept asking Captain Thomson if he was sure the Taiaroa was on shore. Thomson assured hj m that she was, and left. At the time the Express took Taiaroa iii tow he was of opinion that the latter could reach the Bluff in safety without assistance, but he thought he was bound to employ the Express in consequence of the conversation he had with Captain Fraser cefore leaving the Bluff. Friday, March 10. Captain Logan’s cross examination was proceeds! with, and the evidence of John Stevenson, acting-mate, and of James Bain, second engineer, was taken. This concluded the evidence, and the Court adjourned till Tuesday, at 10.15, when argument pro. and con. will be taken.