THE WAIHI MISHAP. COURT'S DECISION.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 49, 27 February 1908, Page 2

THE WAIHI MISHAP. COURT'S DECISION.

The Nautical Court consisting of Dr. M' Arthur, S.M., and Captains Gray a,nd M'Arthur, assessors, gave its judgment yesterday afternoon after we went to press in the case concerning tho stranding of the s.s, Waihi on Karori rock. Tho court held that tho master, William John Carey, was not to blame for the accident, cs when he left tho bridgo in charge of the mate at midnight ha was justified i_ doing so, the weather "being fine at the time. 'j.Tie court ateo considered that the mate committed an, error in judgment in not calling the master when, as ho says, the weather got so hazy that he could not sco further than ono 'mile. In tho opinion of the court tha mate could not havo been keeping a proper look-out if tho -weather was so clear as he stated, as not to necessitate his calling the master. If tha weather was so thiok that ho could not tee the land after having steamed Buch distance as he knew the • Waihi musfc have done, not seeing anything, his duty was to call tho master. The .court did not consider that the mate's certificate should bo interfered with, but at tha same time ho would be ordered .to" pay the costs of the enquiry, amounting to £10 13s.