THE PROTET "INCIDENT."

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12660, 14 September 1904, Page 5

THE PROTET "INCIDENT."

MATTER BEFORE THE HAHBOUR BOARD. REPORT FROM THE HARBOURMASTER. . . , ' The recent Protet " incident" was brought before the Harbour Board yesterday, in ■the form of a report from the harbourmaster (Captain Duder), on lite visit paid by him to the vessel on her arrival, when he presented Commodore Adigard with a copy of the regulation which led to the unpleasantness. Mr. W. J. Napier said it was unfortunate that the incident should have occurred. He thought the harbourmaster should have had more definite instructions as to his duties on such occasions. It was, he said, unfortunate that Captain Duder did not understand French, and that he was thus apt to be misunderstood by the commodore. This remark was greeted with a broad smile by those members of the Board who are aware of the excellent mastery of the English language possessed by Commodore Adigard. '

Mr. Napier added that the affair had advertised the port all over the world in a most regrettable manner for the time being, and any explanation would unfortunately not reach all the people who had heard the first report as to the officers of a warship of a friendly nation being prohibited from landing. He thought it would be advisable, in future, when a foreign vessel was expected, for the necessary permit from the Government to be obtained in advance. The Chairman (Mr. J. f. Julian)* said that, as soon as he heard of the matter he went over to the Protet with the secretary (Mr. Brigham), and apologised to the commodore for what had occurred. The commodore, he said, was well satisfied with the explanation. It. would bo as well, he said, for the harbourmaster not to undertake a similar duty in future. It was not necessary, he said, for the harbourmaster to understand French, as the commodore spoke "beautiful English." He moved, " That the harbourmaster in future confine himself to pointing out the anchorage to such foreign vessels? as may visit the port." Mr. W. J. W. Phi'son: Why should he have troubled about the other matter at •all? . I '- i •.;■';- .. ; : >■[; . " The Chairman: A resolution was passed some time ago by the Board that he should do it. ;.; '-~-. ■ i : Mr. Philson: : The Government should do its own dirty woirk, I don't think we should. , The chairman's motion was carried unanimously. ' - ,1 - '