GREY TRAWLERS

Hokitika Guardian, 30 November 1932, Page 4

GREY TRAWLERS

DAMAGES CLAIM.

FOR COLLISION AT SEA

GREYMOUTH, November 30.

At the Magistrate’s Court yesterday before Mr W. Meldrum S.M., as the result of, two fishing boats, the Nile, and the Annabella, coming into collision during operations in the Tasman Sea, near Point Elizabeth, on July 22, last a claim for damages was made by George Scandrett, owner of tne Annabella against the West Coast Fish supply Coy., Ltd., owners of the Nile. The claim was for £5, the plaintiff alleged that the collision was due to negligence in the handling of the Nile.

After hearing lengthy evidence the Mag'strate said the onus was upon plaintiff to show that the defendant company,t hy unskilful conduct in handling the Nile, were the cause of the damage. It seemed to him the defendant company’s boat was carrying on its business in a proper manner. The Nile was the first on the scene and there was no evidence to' show they went beyond l the three-quarter mile limit, from their buoy. It was alleged that the Nile was following behind and that the onus was upon it to keep clear, but the Annabella had way on and the Nile could ttot have been overtaking it. In any case the Nile was carrying out its work within the regulations. The regulations determined that all ships should give 1 seine net ships a wide berth. It seemed that if anybody was at fault it was those in charge of the Annabella. Plaintiff would be non-suited with witnesses’ expenses £4 ss, and solicitor’s fee £1 Is.