LOST CARGO

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22580, 19 November 1936, Page 15

LOST CARGO

HARDWOOD POLES SHIPPING COMPANY SUED POWER BOARD SEEKS DAMAGES The loss in the harbour Inst January of a cargo of hardwood poles valued at over £2OO was the subject of a ease brought before Mr. Justice Fair in the Supreme Court yesterday. The claim was made by the Thames Valley Elec-tric-Power Hoard (Mr. V. ]{. Meredith), against the Northern Steamship Company, Limited (Mr. Cocker). The Northern Steamship Company on January 14 received at Auckland from Winstone, Limited, as agents for the Thames Valley Power Hoard, 107 Australian hardwood poles to be carried to Paeroa. They were loaded on a barge to bo towed by the company's steamer Taniwha, but the poles were lost on the voyage and have never been recovered. The Power Board claimed £204 JOs 2d, alleging that the poles had been lost in breach of the Northern Company's contract to transport them. It was further alleged that the company had failed to provide a seaworthy barge, that the equipment was defective, the barge overloaded and the cargo badly stowed. Denial of Negligence

The Northern Company denied any negligence, and asserted that tho punt was seaworthy and tho tackle in good condition. It was contended the loss was due to dangers of the sea and inevitable accident.

Mr. Meredith said that the poles varied in length from 24 to 35 feet, and their total weight was 34 tons. They were tied with 3-2 in. and 4in. Manila rope fastened to ring bolts at the side of the punt. Owing to the irregular shape of the logs they were liable to move, and were what was known as "live cargo." There was nothing unusual about the weather, continued Mr. Meredith. The Taniwha left at 1 a.m., and had not got far past North Head when the tow rope parted, and the punt tipped all the poles into the harbour. The Taniwha picked up the punt again and went on to Paeroa. Counsel submitted that the tackle was totally inadequate. Evidence about the stowing of the poles was given by Horace C. McDonald, foreman for "Winstonc, Limited, who said the poles were six or eight feet high on the barge. It had a freeboard of only about 9 inches. Particularly "Live" Load The result of inspections ha had made of the punt was given by George Percival Lindsay, assistant engineer of the Thames Valley Power Board. Pound poles were a particularly "live" load, he said, and it required a good deal of experience to handle them safely.

Professor S. E. Lamb, professor of engineering at Auckland University College, gave evidence of breaking strains on the gear involved in the accident. A list of seven degrees would cause trouble on the barge as it was loaded. The stanchions would go, the logs would roll about three feet to the ropes and upset the stability of the barge, which would turn right over if the ropes did not break.

Mr. Cocker was permitted to interpose the evidence of Captain Hans Anderson on the subject of towing. Ihe barge in question was seaworthy, he said. He habitually used IJin. wire rope for a towing bridle, and bad towed two barges with 100-ton load with it. He thought the rope produced was quite proper for towing the barge in question. Further evidence will be heard to-day.