ACTION FOR DAMAGES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16372, 28 October 1916, Page 9

ACTION FOR DAMAGES.

» CARGO ON THE DELPHIC. EVIDENCE FOR DEFENCE. The hearing of the claim ma<lo by E. Astley and Sons, Ltd. (Mr. M. G. McGregor) - against the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company, Ltd., and John Joseph Syraonds, master of the company's steamer Delphic (Mr. R. McVeagh) for the sum of £126, damages alleged to have been caused by the loss of cargo in transit from Great Britain to New Zealand, again occupied the attention of Mr. C. C. Kettle, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court yesterday. The third witness for the defence, Charles McArthur, a master mariner, with 35 years' shipping experience, gave evidence dealing with the structure of the deck of the Delphic and its ability to resist the penetration of water. If tho stern and wheelhouse were submerged by a heavy sea he would expect the water to find its way through the slackened rivets to tho No. 5 hold, and gradually work its way down through the cargo to the scuppers. He considered that the cargo had been stowed satisfactorily. Referring to sulphate of copper, which formed part of the cargo in the Delphir's Mo. 5 hold, he said he would stow it with almost any dry goods except foodstuffs. Cross-examined by Mr. McGregor, witness said that the weather which caused the damage must have been exceptional. It was not such weather as might have been expected between Capetown .'•nd Fohart. He knew that sulphate of copper was injurious if it got wet. The further hearing of the ease was adjourned until Monday.