THE SALE OF A STRANDED BARQUE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9589, 5 September 1913, Page 2

THE SALE OF A STRANDED BARQUE.

(Psb Press Association.)

WAXGANTI, Sept. 4. Two years ago this month during a fierce gale the? Danish barquentine Carla (now tho Wanganui) was abandoned three miles south from the river mouth. The vowel.hail boon riding at anchor, and an effort had bocn made by the Gertie to tow her into port: though several attempts were made the toWline would not stand the strain, and the crew saw fit to abandon their vessel and^ seek safety on the Gertie. With two anchors out the Carla rode out tho terrific gale for three days; then tho wind changed and the next morning saw the Carla stranded on the beach three miles to the north of the river mouth. One cable had snapped, and she had dragged tho other.' Tito vessel was sold a.v she lay on tho beach, and was afterwards refloated, and it if her cargo of coal which is now the sub-j ject of litigation. j

The ease commenced before tho Chief Justice yesterday morning, and considerable interest is attached to it. J. A. Redpath and Sons, of Christchurch, and rhc Victoria Insurance Company, Ltd., ■laim from A. Hatrick and Co., Ltd., Lite sum of £503 lis. arising out of the branding and subsequent sale of the Wquentino, and also for tho moneys received by defendant for the *alo ol :he coal from Carla niter she wont ishoro, the latter amount also being in -he vicinity of £SOO. Mr W. C. McGregor (Dunedin) and \ir J. Treadwell (Wanganui) appeared for the plaintiffs, and Mr C. B. Morison. K.C. (Wellington), and Mr G. Marshal] (Wanganui) for tho defendants.

The plaintiff's case was to prove that FTatrick and Co. wore agents for the Carla (under charter to Redpaths), and :hat when she was ashore they quite : mproperly told and thou they themselves purchased Redpath's coal, an action which they concealed irom their principals—Redpath's. After taking lengthy evidence, occupying two days, hifi Honor the Chief Justice has reserved judgment.