THE TONGARIRO INQUIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 September 1916, Page 8

THE TONGARIRO INQUIRY.

CERTIFICATES SUSPENDED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, September 21. The Court of Inquiry on the wreck of the Tongariro delivered its decision today. The Court found that the disaster was primarily caused by the default of the .chief office, P. J. Ballard, in failing to take precautions for verifying the position of the vessel wh,e'ii olf Table Cape. The Court considered that Captain Makepeace was responsible tor the safe navigation of the vessel and that the duty lay upon him to ascertain her position after passing Table Cape, where the course was set. The default of the master and chief officer contributed to the wreck. The master's certificate was suspended for six months and the chief oliieer's for six months. As the chief oflicer holds a master's certificate he was granted a mate's certificate. The question of the allocation of costs was deferred until later in the day, THE COSTS REDUCED. ' Wellington, Last Night. After the Court had delivered judgment in the Tongariro inquiry, counsel pleaded for a reduction of the costs, on the ground that suspension of their certificates had deprived the captain and ■':hicf oflicer of a means of making a living. The Magistrate said he would ascertain what the costs were. This was done, and later on he reduced the amount to £lO for the master and for the chief oflicer. An application was also made for the issue of a mate's certificate and a chief officer's. The Court said there was provision for this, and both the captain anil chief officer couid apply and the Court would recommend granting it. The captain's counsel said he would not apply.