Ship Lautoka Arrested

Northern Advocate, 31 May 1949, Page 4

Ship Lautoka Arrested

AUCKLAND, Tue. (Sp.)—Following claims by cargo consignees for alleged damage caused to cargo, a warrant of arrest and 36 writs have been served on the 6676-ton motor-ship Lautoka at Auckland. It is claimed that the cargo was damaged during a voyage by the ship from Sydney to Auckland last year, and writs involve more than £12,000 on behalf of 34 consignees and more than £2OOO on behalf of two Government department claims. A representative, of the Marshal of the Supreme Court, in its Admiralty jurisdiction (Mr C. O. Pratt) arrested the ship on one warrant and lashed seven writs to the mainmast of the Lautoka at her Queen’s Wharf berth last Wednesday. Twenty-eight writs were lashed to the mast on Thursday and one on Friday. ALLEGED DAMAGE The claims concern alleged damage caused on a voyage which began from Sydney on May 28, 1948, and ended at Auckland on June 3, and the writs are against the ship and all persons interested. The Lautoka is listed to sail for Melbourne on Thursday, and although the warrant of arrest serves to detain her pending the hearing of the claims by the Supreme Court in Admiralty jurisdiction, she can be released if security is given.