THE RONA MISHAP

Evening Star, Issue 18020, 14 July 1922, Page 6

THE RONA MISHAP

TO-DAY’S PROCEEDINGS. [Pee United Peess Association.] AUCKLAND, July 14. Air C'utien, S.M., said that from remarks made by the chief officer (Grantly) as to what occurred after Captain Wallis left the bridge, the chief officer never seriously took responsibility. Ho had no specific instructions, and was looking for the return of the captain. Of course, the chief officer was quite wrong, because when he was on the bridge he was in charge and responsible. Mr Meredith, in reply, said it was suggested to pub aside Grantly’s evidence, in which lie stated that no blame attached to the captain. He submitted that it was unfair to take one part of the chief officer’s evidence and set aside another part. He stressed tho qualifications of the mate and the evidence of the various shipmasters supporting tho action of tho master in leaving tho mate in charge. Grantly knew where he was. It was "a perfectly simple thing to pass the light. The chief officer requested pel-mission to speak. Ho said lie had from the first taken full share of the blame, and appealed to tho court for whatever leniency it could make. Ho was at no timc_ neglectful—ho was keenly attentive to his duty, but was deceived by the close approach of tho light, which, ho thought, was further off. Replying to the chairman, Grantly said he fully understood at tho time the master went off tho bridge that he (Grantly) was in charge.