OIL ON THE HARBOUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 21029, 13 November 1931, Page 10

OIL ON THE HARBOUR.

LINER'S CAPTAIN FINED £IOO

DISTRIBUTION OF THE PENALTY. PAYMENT FOR DAMAGE TO BOATS A fine of £IOO was imposed in the Police Court yesterday on Captain W. IT. Ilartman, master of the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company's liner Tamaroa, for allowing oil to be discharged into territorial waters on Sunday afternoon. The action was brought by I lie Auckland 11nrhotir Board. The offence was admitted by Captain llartman. Counsel for the board said the port authority had considered it to be its duly to take the proceedings. There was no reason to disbelieve that the discharge of oil within the harbour bad been due to an oversight, rather than gross carelessness. Counsel for Captain Hartrnan explained that the master had given instructions for the small quantity of residue oil in No. 3 fuel tank, containing water, to lie discharged at sea on the voyage from Napier to Auckland. The oil was flushed out when the vessel was inside Tiri Tiri Island on account of a misunderstanding. The master had asked whether the tank had been discharged and this was interpreted as an order. Only 10 gallons of oil had been discharged. The second ofiicer had noticed the oil on the surface of the harbour and had communicated with the engineroom instantly to have the nuisance stopped. It was the first occurrence of the kind in regard to one of the company's vessels. Counsel for the board said be had a list of launch and yacht-owners whose craft had suffered damage. The damage had been estimated at £l5B, from £2 a vessel upward. The magistrate, Mr. F. lv. Hunt, imposed a fine of £IOO and pointed out that the maximum penalty for the offence was £SOO. He made an order in accordance with the suggestion of the board's counsel that the amount of the fine should bo distributed among the owners of the small craft in proportion to the damage suffered. The board would receive £ls, as representing the expenses incurred in gathering up as much oil as possible. The magistrate made it a provision that the owners of the small craft should prove to his satisfaction within 14 days that their boats had been damaged by the oil.