THE MAHENO'S DELAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15307, 21 May 1913, Page 8

THE MAHENO'S DELAY.

REPORTS TO THE BOARD. The delay to which the Mahenowas subjected on her departure from Auckland on Monday night • was the subject of reports received by the Auckland Harbour Board yesterday. Mr? H. Rudd, acting manager of the Union Company; wrote in reply to a letter from • the secretary of the board, stating that it was incorrect to say there were no officials on the wharf to render assistance. ; When the Maheno left the wharf Captain Lockie and his staff were in attendance, and remained on duty till the steamer got clear, of the wharf. The harbourmaster (Captain Sergeant) was also in attendance as soon as it was found that the Maheno was experiencing some difficulty in obtaining despatch. "We wish," he wrote, " to commend the harbourmaster and his staff for the assistance rendered, [ especially for the prompt manner in which steam was raised on the bond's; tug. This was done in about three-quarters of an hour, and the tug was j then ready to proceed to the assistance of the Maheno. We have also to _thank yqju'r staff for the services rendered in receiving and despatching Morse signals." : - Mr. Rudd added that "our wharfinger and six assistants were also in attendance from 7.30 p.m. yesterday until 1 a.m. to-day." The acting-harbourmaster (Captain H. 11. Sergeant) reported that / the statement (hat the board's officials were not present was untrue. He stated that Captain Lockie, night officer; was in attendance, and that the board's watchman was stationed on the Hobson ; Street Wharf to ' render any assistance required. When 1 clear of the Queen; Street Wharf the I northerly wind set the vessel over towards j the Hobson,' Street Wharf, and considerable difficulty was > experienced :in getting her head * to the wind, /the anchor being I used to assist in this manoeuvre, and this gave the impression that the ship was? on the mud. The night officer,' seeing that the vessel was in difficulties, had at once rang.' him up at ; 11.55 p.m., and he gave instructions for steam to be got up on the To Awhina. The officers of the tug were summoned,' and he reached the tug with them at 12.30-a.m. During this time the night, officer had a man stationed on the signal -tower on Queen Street Wharf, in communication by Morse signals with the master of the Maheno, who requested . the tug's assistance,' and was informed that she was being despatched. He - left the wharf in the Te . , shortly ; after arrival, and !on rounding the end", the Queen Street Wharf found: that the Maheno was clear and : under way. V r / • When the reports had been read,' Mr. Bradney asked whether it had been ascertained if the Maheno was actually, on th© mud. • ' /■ '.''"<_■.'' '■-■ The chairman (Mr. «J. H.Gunsori) said it was very doubtful. / Mr. Bradney said lie had intended to say something about it. The reports were received, and the matter was not further discussed. , „ "" The chairman of the Harbour Board stated yesterdav that he proposed to make inquiry into the allegation that no men were on duty on Hobson Street Wharf during the time the Maheno was in difficulties. . '•-.:•■ :_■■ ; 1 i " ■'■