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Hokitika Guardian, 9 March 1928, Page 2

Tub Magisterial finding at tbc nautical enquiry regarding the MaunganiiiTamahine incident, as it may he described. appeared to rather lit the actual position. The occasion appears to have been one pregnant with possibilities and the fact that prior to the marine enquiry, the Union Company dealt severely with the two captains, the position must have been regarded no less seriously The steamers sailed on their respective voyages rather close to each other, with the result that for the future such close departures are to lie avoided. The Company was moved to take its action from I lie publicity given to the incident, and acted with firmness, and wliat on the whole must be regarded as in the public interests. It was clear that an element of risk was incurred by the zealous officers anxious to run their respective triiis well, to time. The action of the Company is to be approved as discounting such tactics, and tho effect should certainly be to discourage anything of the like nature. That- the passengers were greatly alarmed was indicated he the bulk of the testimony from that source. It is not surprising the estimates of distance between the steamers, short as it was. apparently differed greatly. It ranged from lit to 259 feet in estimate, hut the Magistrate accepted the greater distance as the more accurate estimate. In summing up the position the Magistrate found: “The strongest evidence in favour of the statements of the passengers from the Tainahine that the vessels wort 1 in a dangerous position is the fact that Captain O. Mcl.ellan considered the position serious enough to warrant putting the Tamnliine full sjkhxl astern for fifteen seconds after having given the order to go. slow. That, in my opinion, was due to something more than anxiety to get oil his course to Pieton. Dv following the Maungnnui too closely in breach of article 2-1, even although keeping a good look out, and changing courses ns occasion demanded. Captain McLollnn eventually found himself in a position of difficulty and was compelled to take prompt steps to regain his margin of safety. On the whole, the weight of evidence is not sufficient to warrant the Court finding that the safety of either ship was endangered, hilt the occurrence was of a nature which could have easily been avoided if the master of the Tamahiue had observed the rules which govern the control of steam vessels under similar conditions.” This finding appears to ho a very fair one as far as the evidence could he followed, and in the circumstances should have a very general effect among all those mainly concerned in the class of traffic referred to entering and leaving tho port of Wellington.