LOSS OF THE DUCO.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 9163, Issue 9163, 12 March 1910, Page 3

LOSS OF THE DUCO.

ACTIONS AGAINST THE COMPANY. (Per Press Association.; WELLINGTON, March 11. Several actions have been commenced by the executors of W. Wacldilove, A. M. "VVcnand, and others against the Wellington . Harbour Ferries Company, claiming damages for loss of life through the alleged foundering of the defendant Company's steamer, the Duco. These claims all. allege that the Company despatched the" Duco to sea in an un(seaworthy condition, whereby the loss of life occurred. To-day the Company applied to the Court in its Admiralty jurisdiction under, the Shipping and Seamens Act" to limit the Company's liability to £15 per ton in terms of the Act, and to stay all proceedings in the Supreme Court until the Admiralty Court decided whether the Duco was lost' through the owners'' actual fault, upon which the question of right to' limit liability to £15 per ton depends. The executors of the late Messrs Waddilove and Wenand objected to the jurisdiction of the Admiralty Court to grant such limitations because the- Ferry Company had in its petition denied all liability whatever, and it was contended that before the petition could be delivered this denial of liability should be withdrawn. The motion was adjourned by the Chief Justice to enable counsel for the Ferry Company (Mr Samuel) to consult as to whether the company would consent to an amendment of j the pleadings, admitting certain liability^