THE OPOURI WRECK.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 September 1917, Page 1

THE OPOURI WRECK.

Til F NATTICAL ENOITRY. An enquiry oil the stranding ol the s.s. Opouri on the north wall of the Greymouth Tip on the night of Sept. :lrd - was held yesterday at Greymouth Court house. .M r. T. H utchison. S.M. presided and with him sat Captains »<ol»h and Crawford, and AD'. F. P. Turner (Christchurch).

Air. Kitchinghani appeared for the owners of the vessel and Captain Cox watched tile proceedings in the interests of the Greymouth Harbour Board Considerable evidence was led.

Tbe Chairman stated that a full report of the. enquiry bad to be forwarded to the A 1 inisler of Marino and they would only deal with the points necessary as far as the public was concerned. The answers to the questions submitted to the court were :

“That the stranding of the vessel was wholly due to the parting of the starboard steering gear. The stranding of the vessel was not dull in any measure to any wrongful act or fault of the master, or of any on the vessel. Wo find that the casualty was due to the stretching-screws of the starboard steering rod being defective and parting while the vessel was crossing the bar. AVc think that the crossing the bar. \A ethink that tbe steering gear having been surveyed and passed by Lloyd's surveyor and the Government surveyor six months ago. the master was entitled to roly upon that survey as showing that the steering gear was then efficient. Me think that the steering gear ought nevertheless to have been inspected thereafter at each terminal port by the deck officers of the vesol to ascertain that it enntimid to he in an efficient state. And. in view of the evidence we do not think that the omission to do so can he imputed as such wrongful default* as would justify the Court in cancelling or suspending the certificate of master or mate, or engineer. The certificates are returned. AYe make no order as to costs.’’

,\ mooting ol consignees- in the steamer Opouri was held at Greymouth in Air. Fogarty’s office yesterday afternoon. There was a good attenlanee, including several Hokitika merchants Air. AY. R. Kettle presided and Air. AL llannan was present as legal adviser. After smile discussion, Air. I), l’eese manager.of the Opouri Shipping Company was introduced ,nml expressed his willingness to endeavour to get the average rate of 87-1 per cent, reduced. Ultimately it w;rs decided to leave the interests of the consignees in the hand, of Air. AI. Hannan.