THE BARQUENTINE ILMA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13485, 11 May 1907, Page 6

THE BARQUENTINE ILMA.

RUNNING OUT OF STORES.

REPRESENTATIONS TO THE MINISTER,

The recent report, as to the running out of provisions on the barque lima, when 12 days out from the Thames, was brought under the notice of the Minister for Marine (the Hon. J. A. Millar) yesterday, by a deputation from the Auckland branch of the Seamen's Union. Mr. J. K. 'Kneen, in introducing the matter, referred to the statements made in regard not only to the shortage of provisions, but also as to the Ilma's boat being worthy He said that whilst there was no desire to impute blame to the Department, the superintendent of marine might be authorised to visit the Thames, Kaipara, and other ports from which ocean trading vessels were despatched, to sec that the law was strictly complied with. It was also asked that an inquiry be made into the Ilmas case. " "

Mr. Millar, in replying, said that. as lie had not yet received a report upon the circumstances which led to the Ilma's having to signal the Suffolk for provisions, ho was not in a position to express an opinion upon the matter. The officer of the Department at the Thames had had his attention drawn to .' the report appearing in the newspapers, and had been requested to report as to whether the vessel was fully provisioned on leaving. The owners of the lima had an excellent reputation in regard to the way in which their vessels were provisioned, the quality and quantity both being in excess of' that required by the Act. It was, of course, possible that in the present case the stores had been damaged by bad weather. He admitted that the existing arrangement for the inspection of vessels at the smaller ports was capable of improvement, and now that the Auckland staff had been strengthened, he hoped to shortly be able to issue regulations for the more effective enforcement of the Act at the outlying ports.