SIR JAMES MILLS ON CAPTAINS AND THEIR DUTIES.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12481, 6 March 1909, Page 3

SIR JAMES MILLS ON CAPTAINS AND THEIR DUTIES.

[ United Pbebs Abbociation.]

. • ■ Dunedin, March 5. In consequence of the wreck" of the Penguin, and the evidence submitted at the Pengin inquiry into the circumstances surrounding "the- samb, suggestions have been made that some shipmasters are to sacrifice the safety of the ships and passengers to a constantly growing anxiety to-make^fast passages. Sir James Mills, in a'conversation with a reporter, denied 1 emphatically .the suggestion that masters must adhere- rigidly to a time^ table at any. risk. He said when a man is put in charge of a ship every confidence is placed in him, and that he is absolutely untrammelled 'as regards the navigation or 'the management of the vessel. Every master on his appointment received" a special let-, ter from the head office of the Com-|-panv impressing' on him... the necessity for. the exercise of the greatest care' skill . and tact in carrying out the responsible duties attacking to the position of master of the ship, the safety of lives and property must be the 7 first consideration, under all circumstances. Whenever (continued Sir Jameis) a master receives a transfer or promotion, a letter couched in similar terms es sent him, in which he is urged to

care for the safety of those on board his ship, ;