NAUTICAL ENQUIRY.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 July 1925, Page 4

NAUTICAL ENQUIRY.

AAEI.LIXGTOX, July 15. A nautical enquiry legarding a casually to Ihe steamer John, at I’ukeriia Ray. on June 14th. is being held today. Mr Riddell S.M. i- (iresiding. associated with him Being Captains Huron and Rogers. Captain Hawick gave evidence that tie decided to put into Titalii Bay lor shelter, hut as it was getting dark he deeided to go into Pukerua Bay. Careful soundings were taken. AA it ness felt the vessel bump some submerged object which seemed to give. At the time the vessel was alnuit ball a mile from the shore, which could he seen although it was getting dark. Du lecling the hump, witness ordered lull steam astern, and then steamed full speed ahead for the sea for a few minutes. As il was getting still darker, witness decided to keep to sea instead of returning to the Bay. At daybreak, the steamer was steered for Stephen's Island, and then leek shelter at Guard’s Bay. which place lie reached about 8 a.m. At tile time the ship struck, she was drawing Hit. fiin. aft. On examinal ion on the Wellington slip, il was found that the vessel bad sustained a dent oil tilt' bulkhead at I he after end of the hold. Oil the previous occasion, the John had put into Pnkeroa Bay and anchored for 24 hours. The last soundings before dust ruck the submerged object was Hi fathoms. AA it ness could not say whether tlie object struck was a submerged rock or not but there was no grinding. Captain Holm, manager of the Holm Company, said the ship was insured for £75(10. Considering all the circumstances. he was of the opinion that the vc-.- 'l struck some fairly solid Mil - merged object. Evidence was also pi veil by the officer. and crew. 1 he nautical enquire found that under tiie weather conditions prevailing the master was justified in seeking shelter in Pukerua Bay. The vessel evidently struck a submerged object in the bay.- Finding that the boat was not making water, lie was justified in steering across the Strait. There was no negligence on the part of the master, officers or crew. The master's certificate was returned. A NEGLECTED TASK. “Britain’s part in tropical Africa is

not one entirely agreeable to British pride in her uilonial capacity. AA e have been humane on the whole, but negative; more benign than the Germans perhaps, but less rreatite. AA'e take from the Parliamentary Report on East Africa a cm! rax! admittedly extreme, but not devoid of general truth. In Tanganyika Territory siands the famous Amaiii Institute of Research. The commissioners found that it is for all practical purposes, lying derelict, its laboratories unoccupied, its costly apparatus dismantled, the living quarters deteriorating, the magnificent ami priceless c jleciim of honks and scientific records and specimens unused. Instead of supplying Hie five territories in particular, and the scientific world in general, with eontrijuitions to their knowledge of tropica! plants, soils and insects . . . its only output al present consists of penny packets of seeds,"--The London "Observer.”