LOSS OF THE TAINUI.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 March 1920, Page 5

LOSS OF THE TAINUI.

i ECHO IN THE COURT. CHARGES OF NEGLIGENCE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, March 1. The Tainui case was resumed this morning. The charge of negligence against Frederick William Partridge, the manager of the Vacuum Oil Com puny at Christchurch, was dismissed. In applying for tlie dismissal of the charge MrMyers submitted that the war regulations under which the charge was laid did not apply to any set of circumstances such as disclosed in this case. It applied to acts or omissions of enemies or proenemies. TWO FURTHER CASES. FULL PUBLICITY DESIRED. Christchurch, Last Niglit. Kir .Tohn Findlay, K.C., opened his defence on behalf of the dependants of Needhaia and Smellie. He felt sure, he said, that he would be entitled to the dismissal of the informations without further but liis ,insiructions Wfre not to ask for that. He had been I instructed to take a course that would make for the fullest possible investigation and publicity, and that would'show that the Refrigerating Company did not seek in fdiplter under any technicality. The company wanted the fullest possible investigations of the whole of the circumstances of the loading of the Tainui. of her construction, and of the acts of every officer concerned with the Refrigerating Company, which in any way bore upon the position, and that would serve the purpose of clearing the public mind of any element of suspicion that there was out of gaol someone who should have been in gaol for the Tainui disaster. Several witnesses gave evidence as to the Taimti being well conditioned, and the further hearing was adjourned till to-morrow.