THE RECENT COLLISIONS. The Masters of the Steamers Punished. Auckland, May 26.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 52, 31 May 1884, Page 3

THE RECENT COLLISIONS. The Masters of the Steamers Punished. Auckland, May 26.

Considkhaulk interest has been excited in shipping circles during the last week or two, concerning the collisions which took place between the steamer Rowcna and scow Kauri in one case, and the steamer Coromandel and scow Norah in the other. Points of some interest to seafaring men were raised by the partisans on either side, one section sympathising with the masters of the steamers, and another with those in charge ot the scows. The official inquiry which took place last week promised to set at ret>t all doubts on the subject, and as will be seen from the appended reports of the judgments given this afternoon, the Bench, which consisted of Judge Smith and Captain Frater, has laid all the blame on the masters of the steamers, whose certificates have been suspended, and who are ordered to pay the costs of the inquiry.

Kauri and Rowena. In giving the judgment of the Court in this case, Mr Smith said they had come to the conclusion that the account of what took place given by Davids could not be correct. Various inconsistencies were mentioned, and the Bench considered that the evidence of Whittingham was more consistent with the other facts. Regarding the time that had elapsed, the evidence of August the man at the wheel was more reliable than that of Davids. It was quite probable that the latter had not seen the light until the steamer was upon the scow. It was quite clear that the steamer was entirely to blame in this collision. The only question was whether any blame attached to the master. There was nothing improbable in that he sheuld go below, but he was to blame for going without leaving a competent man in charge. It was apparent that Davids was not competent. Therefore, the Court thought the master's Norris certificate ought to be suspended for two months', and that he should pay the costs of the inquiry, amounting to £18 4s.

Coromandel and Norah. The Court considered that in this rase the features were similar to those in the preceding one, except that greater carelessness was shewn on the part of the master of the steamer. The collision occurred between the steamer and the scow while the latter was sailing on the starboard tack, and this alone showed great deriliction of duty. It had been said that the scow should have gone under the steamer's stern, but this was in direct contravention of all rules of the road. The master was to blame in going below and leaving the deck in charge of a boy merely to save a few minutes in getting together his receipts. It was clear that the master (Scott) was guilty of dereliction of duty, and his certificate would be suspended for four months. He would also pay the costs of the enquiry, £7 6s

Of the 207,330 men in the British Volunteers Force only 303 are under 17 years of age. From 20 to 21 is the most common age. A correspondent of the "Otago Daily Times" states that Sir George Grey is taxed under the Property Assessment Act on £100,000,