OIL IN HARBOUR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 42, 19 February 1932, Page 5

OIL IN HARBOUR.

BOARD PROSECUTES.

DISCHARGES FROM TWO SHIPS

ONE CASE DUE TO MISTAKE

Oil is sometimes poured on the sea to calm the troubled waters, but the oil discharged from ships in the Waitemata Harbour produces no calm. In the Magistrate's Court to-day Captain H. H. Sergeant, harbourmaster, prosecuted Henderson and Macfarlane, Ltd., shipping agents, and the Shell Company of New Zealand, Ltd., for offences under the Oil in Territorial Waters Act. Both firms pleaded guilty. In the case of Henderson and Macfarlane, counsel for the Harbour Board said that the Danish ship Astoria berthed at the Western wharf on January 26. About 50 gallons of oil was discharged into the harbour. It was bunker fuel —Diesel oil.. This was a thin oil, and not the same as that which did much damage to small craft some months ago. The oil was discharged owing to a peculiar mistake. The oil was pumped into a full fuel tank, and about 50 gallons was forced out through the scuppers. As there was a fresh south-east wind blowing, the oil was soon broken up. "I think it was largely due to the fact that a Danish officer could not speak good English," said Captain Sergeant. "The officer called out to the men on shore, 'Wait,' but those on shore thought he said, 'Right,' and some oil was pumped into the already full tank." Counsel for the defendant company said the offence .was merely technical. The ship's officer had not given instructions that they were ready to fill, and the whole thing was due to an unfortunate misunderstanding. "No, it is certainly not a bad case," said the magistrate, "but we must impress upon shipmasters that they must exercise the greatest care." The company was fined £25 and costs. Escaping Beneath Surface. Dealing with the charge against the Shell Company, Captain Sergeant said the ship concerned was the Norwegian vessel Andrea, which berthed at the Western wharf at 11 a.m. on February 6. As soon as it came alongside the wharf it was noticed that oil was escaping from six different places beneath the surface. The Harbour Board immediately set to work to stop the nuisance, and extra men had to T>e employed. in gathering up the oil. It was not until 9 p.m. the same day that all the oil had been cleaned up. The expenses, £16, had since been paid by the Shell Company. ' Counsel: Auckland was the first port of call for this ship? —Yes. I think everything was done by the ship's people?— No. It was the indifference of the ship's people that caused, us much annoyance. But the Shell Company did everything in their power. The oil which was discharged was not the sort --Inch does so much damage?— No, but if this sort of thing is allowed to go on, it would only do damage. In imposing a fine of £50, the magistrate said the Andrea appeared to be an ill-found vessel, as there were six leaks beneath the surface.