THE MAITAI WRECK.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 963, 13 March 1917, Page 9

THE MAITAI WRECK.

FINDING OF COURT OF INQUIRY. Press Assoeiot.ion. AUCKLAND, March 12. The finding of the nautical inquiry regarding the wreck of the Union Company's liner Maitai at Rarotonga was delivered today. The Court was of opinion that the immediate cause of the wreck was the parting of a cable. The parting was not due to the neglect or any act of the master or officers. On the parting of the cable the master adopted all available means to keep the vessel off the reef. The master was justified in attempting to anchor, as he did, and if the cable had not parted the vessel in all probability would have ridden safely. There was no evidence to lead to the belief that the cable was faulty or that an unfair or excessive strain had been put on it. The master was justified in assuming that the chain was in good order and araple and sufficient to hold the vessel at anchor. The Court recommended that a complete survey of the roadstead at Rarotonga be made as soon as practicable.