GREYCLIFFE DISASTER

Hokitika Guardian, 7 January 1928, Page 3

GREYCLIFFE DISASTER

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.)

k ..-' SYDNEY, Jan. (i. Counsel’s addressee at the Greycliffe inquiry were concluded, and judgment as to the causes of the collision will be delivered to-morrow. Mr Holman, counsel for the Commonwealth Director of Navigation, addressing the Court, said that evidence of the Tahiti’s personnel tendered show that the GreyclifFe was almost in con-tact-with the larger vessel when a double ring to stop was given by the Tahiti’s engine room. The GreyclifFe must have heen under the liner’s bows within fifteen seconds of any change of course. An analysis of the fact showed that the Tahiti was already in dangerous proximity to the ferry before tho latter made a turn, if any. If the story of the change of course was to T*be accepted, it must he accounted for in one of two ways. One was that there was some change of course by Captain Barnes for some reason. The other was that there must have been an involuntary change of course caused by the how wave of the Tahiti. The

only other hypothesis was that' tho deliberately ran the GreyclifFe wrwn.

11l reply to i* submission by Mr Holman that tiic pilot on the Tahiti determined to take the. risk of a close share to take a risk of netting through by the narrowest margi t, Mr Justice Campbell interrupted and said there was no question of a deliberate intention to take a risk. So lar as ho saw the situation, there was no position of deliberate choice between the dangerous source and a safe one. He saw no reason to tliink- that had came into the matter at all. Mr Holman concluded by submitting that the. Court would find that the Tahiti was travelling at an excessive speed, but proper steps were taken on the liner after the collision.