CALLIOPE DOCK ACCIDEDT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2779, 19 June 1907, Page 39

CALLIOPE DOCK ACCIDEDT.

CLAIM FOR £15,000.

AUCKLAND, June 17. An action for £15.000 damages brought again=t the Auckland Harbour Board by the Shaw, Savill. and Albion Company, owners of tho steamer Mamari, vvas commenced before Mr Justice Denmston and a special jury. The claim arises out of tne accident in tho Calliope graving dock on November 27 when the Mamari, while being drydocked, suddenly plunged down and forward, the bed blocks upon which the ship should have rested haMn# collapsed. Mr H. Gully (Wellington), in opening the case for the plaintiffs, said that the Haib&ur Board's officials did not seem to have any definite idea as to their duty. No information was given to the chip's oaptain as to the special condition of the dock at the timo. and no information was requested from the captain as to the shape and tonnage of the Mamari. Counsel suggested that the blocks were inherently weak in design, and that the accident was due to the board's neglect to take proptr precautions for clocking such a heavy vessel as tiie Mamari. The blocks were constructed by the foreman of the works, whose instructions vvero merely to put the thing up 20 inches. Tho board's engineer took no part in the matter, except to give a brief instruction, which was quoted.

After evidence had been given by Captain Moffatt, of the Mamari, the couit adjourned till to-morrow morning.