RELEASE OF OIL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23014, 17 October 1936, Page 23

RELEASE OF OIL

SHIPMASTER CHARGED PROMPT STEPS TO OBVIATE NUISANCE (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, Oct. 16. The release of a quantity of oil from the Union Steam Ship Company’s coastal freighter Waipiata on October 5 resulted in the appearance in the Magistrate’s Court today of William Whitefield, master of the ship. He was charged with allowing oil to escape into the harbour contrary to the Oil in Territorial Waters Act. 1926. Mr Stevenson, who appeared for the Harbour Board, said that on Oetober 5 fuel oil was allowed to escape upon the wharf alongside winch the ship was berthed and into the water. The captain reported the occurrence to the Harbour Board and said that steps were being taken to clean up the oil and prevent a further flow. The occurrence was caused by the neglect of one of the engineers. “ The board’s instructions are to proceed against the captain of any ship releasing oil in the harbour,” Mr Stevenson said. “ Oil released in the harbour causes considerable harm. It ruins the beaches and has many other undesirable effects. In this case no damage was done and the oil was quickly cleaned up.’’ Mr J. White, who appeared for Captain Whitefield, said the captain had done his duty by the board and by his employers in reporting the matter promptly and attending to the rempval of the oil. He had to answer for the delinquencies of his staff. “ This case is very different from the last in which a fine of £SO was imposed,” said the magistrate, Mr Luxford, who inflicted a penalty of £5 and costs.