STRANDING OF WANGANELLA

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25610, 27 September 1948, Page 6

STRANDING OF WANGANELLA

THREE OF FOUR CLAIMS SETTLED

AMOUNTS SAID TO TOTAL £34,900

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, Sept, 26. Three of the four salvage claims against the Huddart Parker Company resulting from the stranding of the liner Wanganella have been settled. The three amounts agreed on are understood to total £34,900. *

The parties appeared before the Chief Justice (Sir Humphrey O’Leary) in chambers on Friday, and the settlement is to be announced in Court on Tuesday morning, the day which has been set down for the hearing of claims by the Supreme Court in Admiralty jurisdiction.

The claimants were the Wellington Harbour Board, as owners of the tug Toia and the launch Arahina, claiming £30.000; the Wanganui Harbour Board, owners of the tug Kahauui, claiming £3O 000; the Union Steam Ship Company. as owners of the tugs Terawhiti and Natone. claiming £12,000; and the Eastbourne Borough Council, as owners of the harbour ferry Cobar, which brought passengers and luggage ashore while the Wanganella lay on Barrett’s reef, claiming £2OOO. Tn each case the masters and crews of the assisting vessels were associated with the claims. The first three claims are those settled. The Eastbourne Borough Council’s claim is yet to be argued. Apportionment as between the three employers and their respective ships’ masters and crews is also believed to have been settled, and a lump sum in each case;to have been deposited with the Court for distribution among the masters and crew members. Failing voluntary agreement among them, apportionment will be fixed by the Court.