INQUIRY INTO THE LOSS OF THE TAUPO.

Kumara Times, Issue 762, 10 March 1879, Page 2

INQUIRY INTO THE LOSS OF THE TAUPO.

The decis ; on iu the .Taupo.'lnquiry, was as foliq.ws :-,-« This • is/ an- inqniry in accordance with 'The Shipping and Seamen Act, 1877,'!'before a Resident Magistrate, and two master mariners,; as tia.utical assessors, intp> the or! stranding of the 5.,a." Taupo,"on the rocks near Stoney/Poiiit„.atrthe Heads of Tauraiiga .harbor.'/ 'jW; Court,, has heard :all evidence :which-, bt ought .before ; it : } >y' the;' CollecroV s of Customs; aipd ha* given ;every : ; opportunity to, the .master, [q{ the taupo 'to exculpate himself,'by adjourning from Mine fcn.'tir'rit;. to. enable him .to. obtain the attendance ,of such aeiie. desired to ca 11...." After hearing Msb..evidence, I am of: opinion] that) the accident was caused ; by... the. Gargles* navigation of the vessel, apd I'estate

my opinion that accident was owing to negligent navigation on the part of the the ship, in the following particulars That he did not properly and closely, watch the course of his ship from the red buoy to the Beacon. 2. That he did not heave the lead, 3. That he erred in judging the distance of .his ship .from .the shore, and consequently did not keep her in. her proper course. 4. That the slow speed at whioh the vessel was driven probably conduced to the accident. I am further of opinion that I should not be doing my dnty to the public if I again allowed an accident to shipping, which appears to have been caused hy carleessijess or incapacity, to pass without exercising that power which s is given to a Magistrate's Court ot enquiry in»uch aises. I. : therefore order that the master's certificate lie huhpended for three months from the dat« of the stranding, and that the master also pay the 'cost of this inquiry, amounting to £l7. The certificates of the other officers are returned."