THE TAINUI INQUIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 October 1919, Page 4

THE TAINUI INQUIRY.

THE CARGO CRITICISED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchuxeh, Oct. 22. At the Tainui inquiry, Oliver Nolan, leading man in the Tainui's hold when loading the cargo, gave evidence that the cargo was not the worst he had seen, but was a bad one. Eight to ten. per cent, of the eases were leaking. Soma of the slings came over with benzine leaking like a shower of rain.' Probably 50 or 60 wore sent back on deck. The mate ordered him that every case was to *>e turned over, and if it did not then leak it was to be stowed. Witness was told by the mate that the ploughs were to be stowed. He informed the mate' that he could put them in himself. The mate said: "I have got to do as I am told." Cnristehurch, Last Night. At the Tainui nautical inquiry Mr. F. W. Partridge, Christchurch manager of the Vacuum Oil Company, in the course of evidence relating to the package and leakage of benzine, slu-ted that a member of the staff who was watching the tran-. shipment of the benzine from the Carfl< line to the Tainui protested to Captain Cowan against leaking cases being tftkeu in. Mr. C, ,T. Williams, secretary of the Lyttelton Harbor Board, said the board had taken no steps to supervise the load* ing and discharging of benzine cargoes except that the regulations had beeft handed to the harbor-master, whose duty it was to administer the provision! ot the Harbors Act.