MISHAP TO RANGATIRA

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXX, Issue 4810, 18 February 1936, Page 5

MISHAP TO RANGATIRA

MAGISTERIAL INQUIRY OPENS. The Magisterial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the mishap to the inteir-jsland ferry steamer Rangatira on the morning of Sunday, February 2, was begun yesterday before Mr. E. D. Mosley, S.M., who had associated with him .as nautical assessors Captain W. H. Hartman, marine superintendent for the Shaw. Savill, and Albion Company, Ltd., and Captain H. Hollis, marine superintendent for the Commonwealth and Dominion Line. The five major points which concerned the Court were outlined by Mr. Mosley as follows: —

(1) What was the cause of the mishap? (2) Whether the stranding was caused or contributed to by the wrong ful act or default of the master or any of his officers or crew. (3) Whether subsequent to the stranding there was any neglect or omission of duty on the part of the master or officers, including the wireless operator. (4) Was the master justified in assuming that the land sighted at 6.2 a.m. was Turakirae Head? (5) What was the cause of the difference between the actual position at 6.2 a.m. and that- estimated by the master? The inquiry opened with the evidence of Captain. W. D. Cameron, master of the Rangatira, who was under examination and cross-examina-tion in the witness-box for a long period.

THE HEARING TO-DAY. COUNSEL'S PROTEST. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Wellington, this day. On the resumption of the Rangatira inquiry, Mr. N. A. Foden, for the Marine Department, submitted a number of supplementary questions for determination by the Court. Mr. Kirkcaldie, counsel for Captain Cameron, said he had not previously seen them, but did not propose to ask for an adjournment and keep Captain Cameron on the rack. The Magistrate, Mr. E. D. Mosley, said the questions were really embodied in the main questions before the Court. Mr. Kirkcaldie said that in his 25 years' experience he had never seen such supplementary questions, and it savoured to him of searching for the culprit rather than for the cause. Were Aids to Navigation Fully Used? i After Mr. Kirkcaldie had led evidence regarding the unusual tides on February 2, Mr. Foden addressed the Court. He said the casualty would be recorded in New Zealand history as one of the most miraculous escapes from disaster. The inquiry had to determine whether it was due to the human element or to natural forces, and whether all available aids had been resorted to. He submitted that there had been a failure on the master's part, contributed to by the other navigating officers, to utilise the full range of facilities. Soundings were only supplementary, and in this case had proved unreliable. Other means were available, which in all probability would have told him he was not on his proper course. The onus was on the captain to show he did everything possible in the circumstances.