TAURANGA.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 643, 6 March 1879, Page 2

TAURANGA.

March 5.

The following is the decision m the matter of the Taupo : This is an inquiry m accordance with the " Shipping and Seamens' Act 1867," before the Resident Magistrate and two master mariners, as Nautical Assessors, into the wreck or stranding of the s.s. Taupo, on a rock near Stoney Point at the Heads of Tauranga Harbor. The Court having heard all the evidence which haa been brought before it by the Collector of Customs, and |has given every opportunity to the master of the Taupo to exculpate himself, by adjourning from time to time, to enable him to obtain the attendance of such witnesses as he desired to call. After hearing the evidence, I am of opinion that the accident was caused by careless navigation, and I state my opinion that the accident was owing to the negligent navigation on the part of the master of the ship m the following particulars : — Ist. That he did not properly and closely watch the course of his ship from red buoy to the beacon. 2nd. That he did not have lead. 3rd. That he erred m judging the distance of his ship from the shore, and consequently did not keep her m her proper course. 4th. That the slow speed at which the vessel was driven probably conduced to the accident. lam of opinion that I should not be doing my duty to the public if I again allowed an accident to shipping, which appears to have been caused by carelessness or incapacity, pass without exercising the power which is given to a Magistrate's Court of Inquiry, m such cases. I therefore order that the master's certificate to be suspended for three months from date of stranding, and that the master also pay costs of this inquiry, amounting to £17. The certificate of the other officers are returned.