CALLIOPE DOCK MISHAP.

Feilding Star, Volume I, Issue 294, 18 June 1907, Page 3

CALLIOPE DOCK MISHAP.

« CLAIM FOR DAMAGES. [EBB PBKBB ASSOCIATION.! Auckland, June 18. The action for £15,000 damages brought against the Auckland Harbour Board by the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company, owners of the Bteam Mamari, was commenced, before Mr Justice Denniston and a special jury, to-day. The claim arises out of the accident in Calliope Graving Dock on 27th November, when the Mamari, whilt being dry docked, suddenly plunged down and forward, the bedblocks upon which the ship should have rested having collapsed. Mr Gully, of Wellington, in opening the case for plaintiffs, said the Harbour Board's officials did not seem to have any definite idea as to their duty. No information was given to the ship's captain as to the special condition of the dock at the time, anjl no information was requested from the captain as to the shape and tonnage of the Mamari. He sugegsted that the blocks were inherently weak in design, and that the accident was due to the Board's reglect to take proper precautions for docking such a heavy sevel as the Mamari. The blocks wer constructed by the foreman of works, whose instructions were merely to "put the thing up 20 inches." The Board's engineer took no part in. the matter except to give the brief instruction quoted. . . . » After evidence had been given by Captain Moffatt, of the Mamari;, the Court adjourned till next morning. The case is expect© dto last about a week. ■