ADMIRALTY COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 99, 27 April 1903, Page 2

ADMIRALTY COURT.

ness agreed to let the owners of the Emerald oif entirely from salvage, and instead of. these owners paying him salvage, the new owners paid m salvage. The repairs to the Pilot included metalling the keel . Geo. Niched, ship-owner and surveyor, deposed to making a survey of the-bar-que Emerald afloat at Shelly Beach, after she was stranded on the Kaipara bar in September last. Her value at that time as she was was from £250 to £300

His Honor: The owner of the Pilot enters a claim for £1000 for salving a ship that was only worth £300! Continuing, witness said that later on he surveyed the Emerald in dock at Auckland. He then advised the owners to spend nothing on her, as she was useless. The barque had sustained far more damage than he was aware of previously. To Mr Reed: Some six weeks elapsed between the two surveys. He never surveyed the barque on behalf of her present owners. The captain of the Emerald told witness that her owners received £ 1000 insurance money. The barque was insured at Home. The barque was only of valie as a hulk. He had advised Harrison that he was making a mistake.

Captain 'Plunkett, marine surveyor, for the New Zealand Underwriters' Association, deposed to making a survey of the Emerald at the Kaipara after she had gone on the bar. He estimated her value at £250 to £300. He subsequently examined her again at Auckland, and saw reason to alter his valuation. He would say the value of the vessel before she struck would be £2500. At the Kaipara the vessel was a total constructive loss, as she would cost more to repair than she was worth. She was towed round to Auckland.

David Gouk, ship builder, of Auckland, deposed to superintending the repairs to the Emerald at that time. It would have cost more to repair her than she was worth. For breaking up purposes she was worth £150.

(Proceeding.)