SEQUEL TO STRANDING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15398, 5 September 1913, Page 8

SEQUEL TO STRANDING.

BARQUENTINE'S CARGO.

SUBJECT OF LITIGATION.

[BY TELLGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION'.]

Wanganui, Thursday. Two years ago this month, during a fierce gale, the Danish barquentine Carla (now in Wanganui) was abandoned three miles south from the river mouth. The vessel had been riding at anchor, aid an effort had been made by the Gertie to tow her into port. Though several attempts were made the towline would not stand the strain, and the crew saw fit to abandon their vessel and seek safety on the Gertie. With two anchors out the Carla rode out a terrific gale for three days. Then the wind changed, and next morning saw the Carla stranded on the beach three miles to the north of the river mouth. One cable had snapped and she had dragged the other. The . vessel was sold as she lay on the beach, and was afterwards refloated. It is her cargo of coal which is now the subject of litigation. A case was commenced before the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) yesterday morning, and considerable interest is attached to it. J. A. Redpath and Sons, of Christchurch, and the Victoria Insurance Company, Limited, claim from A. Hatrick and Co., Limited, the sum of £503 lis, arising out of the stranding and subsequent sale of the barquentine, and also for the moneys received by the defendant for the sale of coal from the Carla after she went ashore, the latter amount being in the vicinitv of £500. Mr. W. C. McGregor (Dunedin) and Mr. W. J. Tread well (Wanganui) appeared for the plaintiffs, and Mr. C. B. Morrison, K.C. (Wellington), and Mr. G. Marshall (Wanganui) for defendants. Plaintiffs' case was to prove that Hatrick and Co. were agents for the Carla (under charter to Redpaths), and that when she was ashore they- quite improperly sold, and then they themselves purchased Redpaths' coal, an action which they concealed from their principals, Redpaths. After taking lengthy evidence, occupying two days, His Honor the Chief Justice has reserved his judgment.