A SALVAGE CLAIM

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 8, 4 October 1917, Page 7

A SALVAGE CLAIM

JUDGMENT OF CHIEF JUSTICE

illso AWARDED

The Chief Justice yesterday delivered liis reserved judgment in the case in ■which the Union Steam Ship Company, ltd., • and E. G. 1\ Zohrab claimed, recompense for services rendered in. the /rescue of the American barque which was recently stranded at the Heads. The : Union Company's dlaim was for ,£SOOO for .work done by the Tarawhiti, and ZohTab's for J52500 for aid rendered by the Admiral and the Karako. His Honour said that it appeared from the evidence that the Adjniral put a (pilot on board .the stranded vessel, and later on went to communicate the news of the .stranding. She did not afterwards proceed to tho assislnnco of the Imrqjie. The Karaka, after the Terawhiti had put hawsers aboard, hnd taken' a message.- When the barque was iiitke fairway, the Karaka went alongside and assisted in the towing. Between the time the Terawhiti left the Wellington wharf and the time she ceased towing;, Si hours elapsed. The main question was whether the- services rendered ])>' the iTerawhiti were in the nature of towage or salvage. Other . vessels in harbour could have performed the same services as the Terawhiti, but she was' the most suitable;--To grant excessive compensation would be rather detrimental to' the reputation o£ the port. The claims made .-■were, in His Honour's opinion, extravagant, and he was surprised that they should have been put forward.- , Judgment "would be for the Union Company for iIOOO, ahd for Zohrab J2150. ■: At the hearing of the caso Messrs. AVilford and , Levi represented tho Union Company, Mr. T. >!eave the- plaintiff Zohrab,'and Messrs. Myers and L. E.' Edwnrds the owners of the stranded vessel. It is understood there will bo an appeal on behalf of tho claimants to havo the amount of compensation reviewed.