LOSS AT SEA.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 May 1924, Page 4

LOSS AT SEA.

CLAIM FOR VALI'K OF GOODS, Dl'.N ED IN, May liS.

The loss of the steamer Tasman, which was wreaked near \\ hakatanc nearly three veins ago, led to the hearing of a claim for /breach ol contract before 11 is Honour Mr.lust ire Reed in the Supreme Couil this morning. Flail,no was .lolni Stewart Wilson, who claimed from the New Zealand Express Company the sum ol £Dt"*i !-> lor loss of furniture and oliVets which defendants undertook to convey ' rom Oamarii MTinhataue. Mr I*. V* . Ollgley appear'd for plainiilV and Mr .). U. Calkin for the defendant compilin'. Mi- Oiigley said that plaiuti!!' was an auctioneer in the eiuiToyireiit ol the New Zealand loan and Meiealitile A gene v C'-mjanv and in I'-'-'t he was transferred on promotion from Oamerii I ) Vi ha kill ant- to take over iho company's business at the latter place. The I-'-, or—-s Company was asked for a price to cany tlaintilf's Ikr nit tire final (la ms rii to \\ liakat no. Mr !■. )\ . neoicd. Defendants claimed tliai a contra ! ns made with the hot n and Mercantile t'.intr ny and delivery was taken by tit" Ex; res; Company of furniture which the inuipniiv admit ted was lo.t. They admitted it wars lost v hj|,. Poing carried on the Textual!. Mr .la.stie.- Fin*. had d>- ided that ihe •Hi-.-Is rj the Tax,pan were icsioiisihle el d that was as lai as the matter had gone. Mr Cotglev said it was alleged that there had !•: ett a I.reach of enujrjtet h.v the Express Company and that that breach had resulted in damage. Mr Calhm submitted that the ease of plaint iff was fuunde:]_tii on misapprehension of the law. lit the ease of Imillie. who gave no account -if good; entrtixiod to him. an inference could lie diawn. It was admitted in this case that the gauds were on hoaid the ship and that the ship wax wrecked. The sea was .such ,an nncoiutollahle force that the mere occurrence g;l an accident did not speak of anybody'.; negligence. After hearing evidence his Honour re-erved his deeesion.