NAUTICAL ENQUIRY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2241, 8 June 1881, Page 4

NAUTICAL ENQUIRY.

fPBBBS ASSOCIATION TBLEOBAM.] AUCKLAND, June 7.

Tho inquiry into the wreck of the schooner Policeman was resumed to-day before the Collector of Customs. Mr Laishley appeared for tho Collector, Mr E. Haskett for the underwriters, and Mr Browning for Captain Champion and the crow. Mr Laishley, in opening the case, said he would leave it to the Court to say whether or not the vessel was snffioia tly manned, or whether there was negligence on the part of the captain or not, according to the evidence which would be taken. There was a material difference in the evidence of several witnesses, which he hoped the Court would notice, particularly as to tho chief points in the enquiry—viz., putting in at Spirit Bay, leaving the vessel with half a crow, and the value of tho ship, and that she was fully insured. William Champion deposed that he was in command of the schooner Policeman. He had a certificate, No. 269 (handed to the Court), from tho Sydney, New South Wales, Marine Board. He had no other certificate. The crew consisted of seven seamen and himself. There was one passenger. She was over-manned. He was not aware that one of .the hands was a carpenter. She bad twenty tons of stone ballast at the time of starting. The schooner was staunch and fit for the voyage, and there was no appearance of unseaworthiness. She had sufficient gear for all purposes. He had been commander of her for eight months, and had made several voyages to the islands. To Mr Laishley— Had two pumps on board in good condition on leaving Auckland. The Policeman had previously been surveyed, but not for this voyage. Her value was about £SOO. Arrangements were made for her purchase seven months ago. He became owner and agreed to pay £2OO on the last voyage. Ho bed paid in various ways £SOO, more or leas. She was insured in the South British Insurance Company for his benefit for £550, which was her full value, or more than her estimated value of £SOO. The weather was fine to Eawau, but on reaching the North Gape, which he reached on the 31st, there was heavy weather. On that evening the vessel was making mors water than usual, and he deemed it advisable to put in at Spirit Bay, which lies between the North Cape and Cape Maria. He put in because of a head wind which sprang up. She lay in Spirit Bay until Sunday morning, when he set sail. The water was not increasing; he knew this by the pump. When ho anchored in the bay tho water was smooth, and he did not take any steps to ascertain where tho leak was. It was so small that he thought it not worth noticing. Ho did not taka precautions to prevent an increase of water. The Court then adjourned till to-morrow.