HARBOUR COLLISION INQUIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8027, 13 January 1906, Page 2

HARBOUR COLLISION INQUIRY.

tfON-INCRIMINATING VERDICT FORECASTED. tER PRESS ASSOCIATION. Auckland, January 12. At the inquiry iu connection with the Kapanui-Claymorc collision in the Auckland Harbour, a portion of this morning's sittings was occupied iu hearing evidence, and then members of the Bar prosent addressed the Court on various legal points, and matters brought out by evidence. Tho main questions discussed were whether either or both captains had shown negligence in navigation; whether or not Auckland Harbour could be hold to be a narrow channel within the meaning of the collision regulation; and the sufficiency or otherwise of the scale in vogue of manning small steamers. The Court gave a fairly oloar indication of its opinion on certain points, to the effect that harbor regulations fixing the courses for vessels entering or leaving tho harbour, and certain speed , limits should be made by the Harbour Board, and that considering all the circumstances, the speed of the two • vessels was not immoderate. During his address Mr Tole referred to the standard of manning allowed by law for such vessels, and urged' that the Court should direct the Legislature's attention to the need of raising that standard. His Worship replied that the Lcgis. lalure had gone exhaustively into this question and decided in favor of the law as it now stood. What influence therefore, would a suggestion of this Court have on the matter ? Mr Tole said kws were not infallible. After hearing Council for the respective interests concerned, the Court intimated that a decision would be given next Tuesday.