THE JUDGMENT IN THE TAUPO CASE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5397, 5 March 1879, Page 2

THE JUDGMENT IN THE TAUPO CASE.

[per "herald" special wire.] Tauranga, Tuesday. The following is tlie judgment of the Court of Inquiry re the Taupo This is an inquiry in accordance with the Shipping and Seamen's Act, 1577, before a Resident Magistrate and two master mariners as Nautical Assessors, into the wreck or stranding of the s.s. Taupo on the rocks near Stoney Poirit, at the Heads of Tauranga harbour. The Court has heard all the evidence which has been brought before it by the Collector of Customs, and has given every opportunity to the master of the Taupo toexcnlpate himself by adjourning from time to time, toeaablehim to obtain the attendance of such witnesses as he desired to call. After hearing the evidence, I am of opinion that the accident was caused by careless navigation, and I state my opiuion that the accident was owing to the negligent navigation on the part of the master of the ship in the following particulars 1. That he did not property and closely watch the course of his ship from the red buoy to the beacon.' 2. That he did not heave the lead. 3. Xhat he erred in judging the distance of his ship from the shore, and consequently did not keep her in the proper course. 4. That the slow spesd at which the ve33el was driven probably conduced to the accident. I am further of opinion that I should not be doing my duly to the public if I again allowed an accident to shipping which appeared to have been caused by carelessness or incapacity to pass without exercising the power which is given to a Magistrate's Court of Inquiry in Mich eases. I therefore order that the master's certificate be suspended for three months from the date of stranding, and that the master also pay the costs of this inquiry, amounting to £17. The certificates of other officers are returned."