THE WRECKED DEVON.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9586, 2 September 1913, Page 5

THE WRECKED DEVON.

THE COURTS DBCISIOKK

THE CAPTAIN SUSPENDED FOR THREE MONTHS.

(Pn Puss Amocutios.) WELLINGTON. Sept. 2. The Marine Court of Enquiry gave its decision to-day regarding the 'wreck of the Devon. In the opinion of the Court the cause of the stranding was that, way was not taken off the vessel so u to allow of her being handled expeditiously in narrow waters; that the master mistook the lights and that the vessel was navigated too closely to the Pencarrow side of tho entrance; that the stranding was contributed to by the default of the master, who was a stranger to tin- port, in not having made hinfcelf acquainted with the leading lights of the |x>rt. and when these were obscured by the squally conditions of the weather prevailing at the time in not heading tho vessel out clear of land to await clear weather or daylight. The Court imposed on Captain Caunce a j>enalty of three months' suspension and ordered him to pay the costa of the enquiry, £l6.

THE WATERSIDERS' TROUBLE. (Pn Prat Association.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 1. A somewhat serious position has arisen in connection with the discharge of the Devon's cargo. A number of wharf labourers refused to go down to the stranded steamer on Saturday unless paid 5s an hour. Tlie shipping companies offered them 2s for work in the davtime and 3* overtime, but as thev still refused to start the permanent stevedores df the New Zealand shipping companies were put on to do the work- The 6teamer Awaroa brought to town a quantity of salvaged cargo, and some more arrived on board the auxiliarv scow Echo, but the casual waterside workciv have refused to handle it. Some permanent manual workers of the Harbour Board were then directed to unload tlie Awaroa. but they also refused, and it is stated thev have been suspended. The watcreiders held a meeting to-night to consider tlie position regarding the salvaged cargo from the Devon, but the result was not communicated to the press.