A STRANDED BARQUE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 9953, 24 April 1918, Page 6

A STRANDED BARQUE

APPEAL ON A CLAIM FOE SALVAGE. Further legal argument was heard before the Court of Appeal yesterday in the appeal case the TJ.S.fcj. Co. v. the owners of an oversea barque whicn ran on the rocks at the entrance to Wellington harbour in June last. Tho appeal was against a decision of the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) in awarding the appellant company £IOOO for services rendered to the distressed vessel. Mr C. P. Skerrett, K.C., with Mr P. Levi, appeared for appellants, and Mr M. Myers, with Mr L. Edward, for respondents. . Mr Skerrett concluded argument for appellante and Mr Myers opened for respondents, Mr Myers reviewed the evidence given at the Supremo Court hearing. He held that the Torawhiti, the tug which had assisted tho barque, did not run into any danger in doing so, and never came nearer to the barque than 600 ft. Although earlier in the night the barque was in a position of danger, she was later floated off and was in perfect safety as long as the wind did: not change. The Terawhiti nterely "tugged" the barquo off the rocks—a performance which evidence snowed was accomplished easily. These facts hardly fitted in with tho exaggerated claims of appellant's. Mr Myers quoted cases tending to show that tho amount awarded by toe Chief Justice forHhe services rendered by tfi3 Tera-whiti was ample. The services were little more than mere towage services.

The court adjourned till to-day,