SHIPMASTER IN DOCK

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 777, 25 September 1929, Page 9

SHIPMASTER IN DOCK

CHARGED WITH BREACH OF SAFETY RULES ACCIDENT IN WELLINGTON Press Association DUNEDIN, Today. In the Dunedin Police Court this morning George Victor Harris, master of the steamer City of Lincoln, was charged with committing a breach of the general harbour regulations at Wellington on September IB in that lie failed to comply with the safe working of loads regulations, thereby causing injury to three persons. He was alleged to have placed a load of approximately three tons upon a lead block for which the safe loading limit was not more than 15ewt. He pleaded not guilty. Captain Fraser, superintendent of mercantile marine, said through the dropping of a case while the cargo was being unloaded one watersider was seriously hurt. Two others were slightly injured. Captain Iving, surveyor of ships at •Wellington, said at the request of a stevedore to get more speed, lighter gear had been rigged, but the workers were not told not to touch heavy cargo. The weight of the case which fell was 4.6301 b and had the weight clearly stamped on it. The block which was used had no weight stamped on it. Air. A. X. ITaggitt, for the defence, submitted the section of the Act under which his client was charged disclosed no offence and he did not know what the definite charge was that he had to meet. He did not want to be in the position of putting the master in the box and allowing the Crown to go on a fishing expedition to prove the case. The magistrate adjourned the case till tomorrow' to enable Captain Fraser to consult with the Crown Solicitor and to put the charge in proper form.