The enquiry into the case of the barque ' Cantero' was resumed at the Police Court at two o'clock this afternoon, and is now «<>ing on. Theatee Royal.—This little theatre Wis crowJed in every part on Saturday evening, when a most excellent programme was gone through by this really talented company. To-night the fine drama of the "Old Chateau" and " Whitebait at Greenwich" will constitute the efeniDg's amusement.
THE LOSS OE THE TAU 'ANGA. As in almost every case of disastrous accident, it is probable that the unhappy fate of those ou board the Jauranga is owing to neglect. We do not prejudge the inquiry, but it has been admitted lhat there were no lights on board the .Enterprise, and her skipper went below to procure the means ot making a "flare-up," while the two vessels were rushing into one another beam on. It will be interesting to note the express terms of the Act bearing on the subject: —
Article G of tho Merchant Shipping Act says:—" Whereas as in the case of small vessels during bad weather, the green and red lights cannot be fixed, these lights shall bo kept on deck in their respec'ire sides of the vessel ready for instant exhibition, ami shall on the approach of or to other vessels be exhibited on their respective sides in sufficient time to prevent collision in such manner as to make them most visible, and so that tho green lijit should not be seen on the port side nor the red light on the starboai'd-side."
It is further enacted that even open fishing-boats mint carry a lantern with green and red slides for protection against collision.
In the case of the Enterprise there was admitted not only no light exhibited, but none available for an emergency. The public will want to know if this is a usual tiling; and if so, to whose neglect it is flue, and anything short of this in the pendinii inquiry will not satisfy anxiety We do not wish merely to know if tue lauranga was or was not destroyed by a case of individual neglect on beard the enterprise, but it is a horrible trulb that, these hi tie coasters are permitted to leave our haibours, and go crawlmti along the coasts in the track of ress< Is, without any previous inquiry as to whether they are provided with he lanterns and the fixtures, as by law required. We hope it will apr ear that the rule is invariably observed that the Boarding Officer or ,-earcher examines every vessel leaving, and that the Collector ot'Customs refuse- clearance until satisfied on this particular. And we trust that the inquiry p.-ndhig will not be a sham, but bring praise or c. n-ure home to all concerned without distinction, coute qiti coute.
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Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 175, 1 August 1870, Page 2
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