LOSS OF THE SUMATRA.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 750, 5 July 1923, Page 5

LOSS OF THE SUMATRA.

REPORT ON HEfo CONDITION.

HULL DECLARED SEAWORTHY

By Electric Teleerftph.-Copyright. SYDNEY, July 4. A report submitted to Mr Cocks by the Navigation Department states that the Sumatra on May 17. after the completion of repairs made necessary as the result of the vessel going ashore at St. Matthias Island,- New Guinea, was reported upon. The hull was declared seaworthy, but the life-saving appliances were very defective. These were later brought up to requirements. The vessel at no time carried a certificate from the State Navigation Department, nor was it surveyed by the department at tho request of the Commonwealth authorities. The action taken by the State was solely due to the Superintendent of Navigation, who wished the practice of supervision to continue without exception, and issued an instruction to officers accordingly. It is understood that since 191 i approximately £31,000 had been spent on overhauling the Sumatra. The value of the ship after survey had been estimated in shipping circles at £SOOO. The general secretary of the Merchant Service Guild states that the figures of. the money expended in overhauling and repairing the Sumatra since 1917 were ridiculous and preposterous.—Press Association. FEARS OF ANOTHER WRECK. ADELAIDE, July 4. Fears are entertained that another shipping disaster has occurred, wreckage consisting of kerosene tins, new hatches and foreign papers having been discovered near Cape Northumberland. A search is being made along the coast. —Press Association. WIRELESS FOR MOTOR BOATS.

LONDON, July 3. The Trevessa incident has directed the attention of the newspapers to the suggestion of an advisory committee of the, Board of Trade, issued in April, that vessels of a certain tonnage should include in their boat equipment motor boats fitted with wireless. Already a number of large Atlantic lines have adopted the suggestion, while the Commonwealth Bay Rners, from the outset of their career, have been thus equipped, being the only vessels trading to Australia so fitted.—A. and N.Z. cable.