S.S. HIMITANGI DID IT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1165, 28 June 1911, Page 7

S.S. HIMITANGI DID IT.

RECENT COLLISION.

THE -FINDING AFTER INQUIRY. Decision- was given yesterday, morning by Dr. A. M'Arthur, S.M., in the magisterial inquiry to collision on tho Manawatu 'River on May 16 between the steamers Wairau and Himitangi. Tho Court stated the case as follows - /— "The s.s. Himitangi in coming down the Manawhtu Kivei on May 16, 1911, came into collision with s.s. Wairau, the result being that material damage was caused to s.s. Wairua." Tho questions then at issue were:— Whether the collision was due to wrongful act or default on the part of the master of the Himitangi ? Or was the collision duo to wrongful aot or default on tho part of the master of s.s. Wairau? The magistrate supplied the following: "In mj opinion the collision was due to a wrongful act on the part of the master of the Himitangi. Tho master may be judged on his own evidence, and on the course which ho marked off on tho plan. In the latter ho made a direct departuro from the rules laid down in the regulations for tho prevention of collisions at s-oa by starboarding his helm and going to the wrong side of the channel. If he had ported his helm and kept to his own side of tho channel the collision, would not have happened. In my opinion the master gavo the wrong order, "Hard a starboard," whereas he meant "Hard a port." • "Although tho ansVi'Grs htg given in the first person singular," added his Worship, "the assessors (Captains Post and Black) agreo with tho decision. With reference to dealing with the certificate of the master of the Himitangi, the Court is of opinion that his certificate should not bo touched at all. But he will be ordered to pay the costs of the inquiry, which amount to ,£l4 35." Mr. A. Gray appeared for Captain Manley (master of tho Himitangi), and Mr. A. L. Herdman for Captain Shaw, of the Wairau; Mr. A. Fair for the owner of the Wairau, Mr. Perano; and Mr. Dalziell for the Chatham Island Fishery. Company, Ltd., owners of the Himitangi. Mr. Rose represented tho Marino Dc-1 partment.