OIL IN HARBOUR

Grey River Argus, 17 October 1936, Page 7

OIL IN HARBOUR

Ship's Captain Fined (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, October 16. The release of a quantity of oil from the Union Stearn Ship Company’s coastal freighter Waipiata on October 5, resulted in the appearance in. the Magistrate’s Court of William White* field, master of a the ship. He was charged with allowing "‘oil to escape into "the harbour, contrary to the Oil in Territorial Waters Act, 1920. Mr Stevenson, who appeared for the Harbour Board, said that on Octobei 5 fuel oil was allowed to escape upon the wharf alongside which the ship was berthed, and into the water. The captain reported the oceurence to the Harbour Board, and said that steps were being taken to clean up the oil. and to prevent any further flow. The happening was caused by neglect of one of the engineers. “The Board's instructions are to proceed against the captain of any ship releasing oil in the harbour, said Mr Stevenson. Oil released in the harbour causes considerable harm, ruins the beaches, and has many other undesirable effects. In this case no damage was done, and the oil was quickly cleaned up. Mr J. White, who appeared tor f aptain Whitefield, said the captain had do-e his duty by the Board amt his employers in reporting the matter promptly, "and in attending to the removal of the oil. He had to answer for the delinquencies of his staff. “This ease is very different from the last in which a £5O tine was imposed,” said the Magistrate, Mr Luxford. Captain Whitefield was fined £5 and costs.