WRECK OF THE ELINGAMITE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2975, 22 March 1911, Page 33

WRECK OF THE ELINGAMITE.

CAPTAIN ATWOOD'S POSITION. REHEARING ASKED FOR. WELLINGTON, March 19. The case of Captain Atwood, formerly master of the Elingamite, which was wrecked on the Three Kings in November, 1902, was brought under the notice of the Minister of Marine {the Hon. J. A. Millar) yesterday by Mr T. M. Wilford, M.P., representing the Merchant Service Guild. Mr Wilford urged that facilities should be afforded Captain Atwood for a rehearing of the inquiry in view of tho recently discovered fact that the islands had been wrongly charted. The charts had been shown to liim {Mr Wilford), and proved that if the Three Kings had been properly charted the course which Captain Atwood. steered would have cleared him, of them by three miles. The Minister would realise what a difference that would have made if it had been known at the time of the inquiry. He would anything at this stage about what Captain Atwood had suffered. He wanted to ask the Minister if he would furnish Captain Atwood with a copy of the evidence given at the inquiry into the wreck of the Elingamite and also if he would take the ' opinion of the Crown Law Officers as to what procedure could be adopted to give Captain Atwood an opportunity to bring the recently-disclosed facts before any tribunal that might bo set up for the purpose. . . The Minister said he would be very glad indeed to consult the Crown Law Officers and see what steps could be taken to afford Captain Atwood an opportunity of clearing his name. No doubt three miles made all the difference possible. Of course he could not at present say, not having seen the charts, whether the course steered woidd or would not have taken the vessel past the Three Kings, but if it could be shown that if the islands were properly charted tho captain steered a safe course he did not think his certificate should remain in ita present position. As far as he (the Minister) was concerned' he would give Captain Atwood every opportunity to clear himself. Mr Wilford: We are not considering the question of recompense, but reinstate.. ment.