THE LOCH LOMOND.

Feilding Star, 23 December 1908, Page 2

THE LOCH LOMOND.

INQUIRY CONCERNING HER DISAPPEARANCE.

l_Y ELECTRIC TELEGRAPB —«_O_YRI_BI.] .PER PJ.RBS ASBOOIATION.J Sydney, Dec. 22. ' The Marine Court met for the purpose of fiolding an inquiry into.the disappearance of the Loch Lomond. The Crown law officer explained that the vessel was surveyed at Glasgo\v last year, and surveyed at Melbourne at the end of this year. After loading at Newcastle, the loadfline was from an inoh to an inch and a quar-* _. ter clear. Prior to being loaded she was inspected by the Navigation Department, which found her to be thoroughly sound and complete in equipment, with all the necessary 'life-sav-ing appliances, and tnat she was wellmanned. Wreckage had' been picked up at various places on the NeW Zealand coast. There seemed to be some little doubt as to whether the Court had any jurisdiction. y The Judge said that it appeared that the vessel was lost near New eZaland. He, however, allowed statements to'be made by Captain William (Newcastle), Capt. Tyler (shipping master, Newcastle), and Mr Newton (Inspector of Nangation), Avho confirmed the remarks of the Crown law officer about the condition of the vessel when she left Newcastle. The Judge then ruled that the Court had. no jurisdiction to hold an inquiry, and it would.be a question tor the department to consider whether it would uot be advisable to give the _-ourt jurisdiction to hold _n inquiry with regard to all vessels where the last port of oall w&s a port m New South Wales.