LOSS OF RIPPLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 September 1925, Page 4

LOSS OF RIPPLE.

> — o e&—< SPECIAL .H RV ORDERED.

[hy TEUXiKAI’H —PEIt PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLI.XOTOX, September «. A request for the reeission of an order of Mr Justice Alpers, refusing a special jury in the rase of the claim of Maud Ellen XiehoUon. widow ol Thomas Ma lthow .Xieholson. for I'l ADO in respect til the death of her husband. Vtllo was hist in the steamer Ripple, of which lie. was chief officer, on Hi It August. 11:2-1, was made to the Kull Court, consisting ol I heir Honours Mr Just ice MaeOi c.gnr and Ostler, by Richardson and Co Ltd. Mr 0. 0. Watson appeared for Richardson and Co Ltd and Mr P. J. O’Regan for Mrs Nicholson. His Honour Mr Justice MaoOregor, .granting the request on behalf of the Court, said that it seemed a ease in which a special jury should he .-illovcd. Action, or default of action, causing the husband's death was alleged. The boat was alleged to have been allowed to leave Wellington in circumstances which made it unsafe to leave the bar-] hour in had weather. "There is no allegation that the ship was overloaded.” said his Honour, "hut there are allegations in regard to the way in which the cargo was stowed, both below and on deck, that it caused a list, anil that the deck cargo was shipped to correct the list. There is also the suggestion that the ship should not have been allowed to leave the liarhour in such heavy weather. Mr O'Regan says he will have to call waterside workers and the Government Meteorologist His ||onon> Mr Justice Ostler, agreed, remarking that the evidence would lie of a highly technical nature.