THE CHARGE AGAINST CAPTAIN LOGAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8662, 3 September 1891, Page 6

THE CHARGE AGAINST CAPTAIN LOGAN.

At a meeting of tho Melbourne Marine Board a communication was received from the Secretary for Customs returning reports respecting the grounding of the s.s. Manapouri, near Capo Schnnck, on the 7th August, and stating that tho Commissioner of Customs was of opinion that the facts therein set out. disclosed a prima f'ncic case sufficient to require a full inquiry by the proper court, The Minister considered that in this instance a formal investigation was expedient, and in terms of the Marine Board Act he requested that the Board would prefer, and cause to be preferred, a charge of misconduct before tho Court of .Marino Inquiry against Captain Logan, upon the facts stated in his own letter of the 10th instant.

In reply to Captain Garside, the Secretary said that tho resolution of the Board, censuring and cautioning tho captain, had not yet been transmitted to Captain Logan. The President said there was no doubt that tho Commissioner had tho power to interfere in the way he had done. .Mr. H. R. Reid moved, " That the Commissioner of Customs bo informed that the Marino Board, having already dealt with the case of the s.s. Manapouri, is of opinion that it is not now compotont for the Board to prefer a charge of misconduct against Captain Logan, but that if the Commissioner should think it incumbent on him to ■order an inquiry to bo made, this Board will permit a charge to be made, and will render every assistance in so doing, it being distinctly understood that the Commissioner of Customs should prosecute, and not the Board." He said that at the lastmeeting the Board decided that Captain Logan should be censured and cautioned. It was not open for the Board to now revoke its former action. Ho did not thiuk tho Act intended that where the Board had censured a captain, the Commissioner should be able to order the Board to do something else. The Board's decision was arrived at deliberately, and if the Commissioner desired that a prosecution should take place, he should appear in it as prose- I cutor.

.Mr. Taylor seconded the motion. Mr. Uickins thought that as tho Board's decision had not been communicated to Captain Logan the Board could rescind its former resolution. Mr. Cowper considered that the Board should stick to its opinion. If the case were re-opened he would vote as he had done before. It would be very infra diij. for the Board to alter its decision within a week. Mr. Gaunsoti urged that the matter was too important to be dealt with hastily. The Board should have before it all the available facts before it answered the letter of the Minister. It was said that tho Board had arrived at its decision without fear, favour, or affection. He admitted that there had been 110 feat, but there was a good deal of both favour and affection. He moved, as an amendment, "That the consideration of the matter should be postponed for a week." < Mr. 11. R. Keid was willing to accept) the amendment. The President suggested that opinion of counsel might be obtained as to whether the Board could revoke its former decision, and whether there was power for the Commissioner of Customs himself to move in the matter. Mr. Gaunson said that if any legal objection was to be taken it should be left to the person affected. Mr. Dickins said ho would be in favour of rescinding the former motion and carrying out the direction of the Minister. Mr. H. R. Reid was of opinion that tho Board would be doing an unjust action in rescinding its resolution. The President said lie was fully of opinion that a charge against Captain Logan should have been laid last week. The amendment postponing consideration of the matter till next meeting was agreed to. Mr. Dickins gave notice that he would move at next meeting that the resolution be rescinded. It was decided that in the meantime tho opinion of counsel should be obtained upon the legal position. Several other matters were dealt with, and the Board adjourned. [We have since learnt by cable that the Board has decided to charge Captain 'Logan with misconduct].