CATASTROPHE

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30191, 24 July 1963, Page 16

CATASTROPHE

(From Our Parliamentary Reporter)

WELLINGTON. July 23

A full inquiry was held into the collapse of a cask of brandy which coat his department £231 compensation, the Minister of Forests (Mr Gerard) told Parliament today.

Mr P. Blanchfleld (Opposition, Westland) asked whet h er Mr Gerard would disclose the contents of the cask, whether overseas funds were Involved, and what tax and duty was paid. “The cask containing O.P. brandy was weakened following the action of a departmental inspector in removing, for prompt destruction, in-sect-infested hardwood bands.” said Mr Gerard. “Subsequent handling

and removal from the bond store by the importer caused a collapse of the cask and partial loss of the contents on to a roadway.” •

The estimates of expenditure for the current year show that the expenditure by the Forest Service last year included £590 for "contingencies." These included the £231 compensation for the loss of the brandy. £268 in payment for loss of livestock due to poisoning, and morning teas and lunches for official visitors to Kalngaroa forest costing £4l. It is understood that the accident to the cask occurred In Christchurch after the wooden bands on the cask had been removed for fumigating.