TOOK A RISK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 263, 5 November 1937, Page 9

TOOK A RISK.

STEVEDORE FINED £10. UNSAFE WORKING LOAD. «INEXPLICABLE BREACH." Prosecuted on summons in the Police Court this morning by the Superintendent of Marine for two breaches of the Harbours Act, Captain A. W. Jenkins (Mr. Weir) pleaded guilty. Defendant was charged that being a person engaged in working cargo for the steamer Port Brisbane on September 4, he permitted to be put 011 certain cargo gear, a single wire whip us4d in unloading a motor truck, a load greater than the respective safe working load. Mr. X. I. Smith, of the Crown Solicitor's office, who appeared for (Japtain Wilcox, Superintendent of Marine, said the matter was regarded as serious, and he asked that 011 one charge a sul»stantial penalty be Imposed. The regulations under the Harbours Act were framed after conferences between the stevedores, waterside workers, shipping companies and the Marine Department, the main purpose being to safeguard human life. Mr. Weir submitted that 110 accident occurred and there existed no risk as the wire whip used, when new, would carry a weight of 17 tons, whereas the weight of the motor truck was less than four tons. Captain Jenkins was recognised on the waterfront as a capable master stevedore. "These regulations were made for the protection of life and limb and it is absolutely necessary that they should l>e complied with." said the magistrate, Mr. C. R. Orr Walker. '"It is all very well to say there was no particular risk in this case. That is 110 excuse. But to delit>erate]y break the regulations is inexplicable to me. Evidently a delay of 40 nifnutes or so in obtaining a Harlwuir Board crane influenced defendant in taking the risk."

On one charge defendant was fined £10 and cost*, £1 11/, and on the other he was convicted and ordered to pay the coats.