Enquiries into Wrecks.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 7079, 27 February 1893, Page 2

Enquiries into Wrecks.

The annual meeting of the Otago branch of the New Zealand Underwriters’ Association, which now includes all marine companies doing business in Otago, was he : d in Dunedin on January 27th, when the annual report was submitted, and the officers and committee elected for 1893. The several reports of the committee of 1892 and of the Surveyor, apart from metiers purely technical, contain information of general interest in a mercantile community. Th® association appeal*, says the Star, to be doing, with an exceedingly moderate expenditure, valuable work in underwriting business, keeping a watchful eye on the condition of the ports, the state of trade, and the circumstance of marine casualties which l come within the scope of their jurisdiction, j The Committee, referring to the loss of the Star of Erin a few hours after leaving Bluff harbour, with a full cargo of wool, grain, and tallow for London, and oi ihe e.s Elginshire near Timaru, direct attention to the existing system of bolding inquiries into wrecks. The mode of procedure, they consider, is very tinsatisfaotorv, and most unlikely to result in a proper decision being arrived at.” The opinion is expressed that “ permanent as sessors should be appointed by Government,to tit with resident magistrates on these inquiries " ; also that better provision should be made for working up cases against those guilty of negligent navigation. Under existing conditions, where assessors are called in haphazard, there is nothing to prevent them being men having a leaning towards the persons on “ their trial, or at best indifferent, and with no feeling of responsibility; and it would be strange indeed if negligence and bad seamanship got their deserts.” The appointment of official assessors has been, we are aware, urged upon successive Governments, j and it is high time that the present system was abolished.