STOWAGE OF CARGO.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 189, 9 February 1914, Page 4

STOWAGE OF CARGO.

A CAPTAIN* MULCTED IN* DAMAGES. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. Judgment for the plaintiffs was given by Mr. Kettle, S.M., at the adjourned hearing of the ease of Win. Cool; ami Sons v. Frank Hemming, master of the s.s. Rimutaka, in which ,C2O was claimed for damages alleged to have been done by the improper stowage of a big coil of wire rope on the voyage from Liverpool to Auckland. His Worship said that on a question of fact he had no doubt that the wire was not properly secured at Sydney. He must assume that it was shipped in good order and condition, and the bill nf lading which said that it was shipped in "apparently" good order, must 1«< taken ns n statement on behalf of the captain on authorities cited in tlio case. The captain was responsible for the stowage of cargo on his ship unless the duty was specified as in the hands of some other person. In this case, lie lwd left the matter to the second officer, The weather, His Worship considered, was not so rough that "an act of God" could be pleaded, and it was, in fact, the duty of ships' officers to anticipate such weather. Judgment would be for the plaintiffs, the amount to bo left for settlement. Mr. Richmond was given leave to appeal if he saw fit. on certain legal points.