LOSS OF THE LOCH LOMOND. DECISION OF THE N.S.W. COURT. NO JURISDICTION.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 149, 23 December 1908, Page 7

LOSS OF THE LOCH LOMOND. DECISION OF THE N.S.W. COURT. NO JURISDICTION.

Bj Telegraph.— Prfiss Assoeiation.-Copyrighfc SYDNEY, 22nd December. The Marine Court met to-day for the purpose of holding an enquiry into the loss of the barcjue Loch Lomond, which was wrecked while voyaging from Newcastle to Lyttelton, New Zeai land. The Crown Law Officer; explained that the vessel was surveyed at Glasgow last year, and again at Melbourne at the end of last year. After loading at Newcastle her loa&Kne was from atv, inch to an inch and a qnarter clear. Prior to being loaded she was inspected by officers of the Navigation Department, who found her thoroughly sound and complete in equipment, with all necessary life-saving appliances, and well manned. Wreckage was picked up at various places on the New Zealand' •coast. There seemed to be some doubt wb.e« ther the court had jurisdiction. The Judge said it appeared the ves6fll was lost near New Zealand. He, however, allowed statements to. be made by Captain William, of Newcastle; Captain Tyler, Shipping Master at Newcastle; and Mr. Newton, Inspector of Navigation, who confirmed the remarks of the Crown Law Officer about the condition of the vessel when she left Newcastle. His Honour then ruled that tho court had no jurisdiction to hold an enquiry. It would be a question for tne department to consider whether it would not be advisable to give the court jurisdiction to hold enquiries in regard lo vessels where the last port of call was a port in New South Wales.