GREYCLIFFE DISASTER

Hokitika Guardian, 10 January 1928, Page 1

GREYCLIFFE DISASTER

SEQUEL TO FINDING. (Australian & N.Z. Cabhr Association.) SYDNEY, Jan. 9. Tho Alinister for Customs announced on behalf of the Federal and State authorities, who have been co-operat-ing since the Grevcliffe disaster, that as a result of the finding of Mr Justice Campbell, that tho Tahiti, being the overtaking vessel, was solely to blame for the collision, the State Superintendent of Navigation lias de-

cided to suspend Captain Carson from duty, lor breach of collision regulations, and for exceeding the speed limit as laid down by the Sydney Harbour Trust Regulations. "With the approval of tho Acting Premier, a charge will bo laid under the Pilotage Regulations, against Captain Canson, by the State authorities, this person being a State Officer. The charge will not, however, be heard until the Coroner has completed the inquest. Air Flatten added that the liability, if any, of the master ail'd officers of the Tahiti was receiving careful consideration by the Federal authorities. The -rst writ in connection with the disaster was issued by Mrs Lee Brown, widow of Dr Loo Brown, against the Union Steamship Company, claiming £SOOO compensation for loss of her husband.

INQUEST RESUMED. SYDNEY, Jan. 9. Tho inquest oil the victims of the Grevcliffe disaster was resumed to-day, but, contrary to expectations, neither Captain Carson nor Captain Barnes w'oro called. Captain Hildebrand, Assistant Harbourmaster, gave evidence that men were stationed at points around the Harbour to check tho speed of certain outging deep-sea vessels, about which the Harbour Trust had been suspicious, and when found going at too great a speed, tho Harbour Trust cautioned the ship. It was sometimes necessary to go beyond a caution. AYitncss added that lie had never received a report about the speed of the Tahiti.