INQUIRY INTO ACCIDENT TO THE TAKAPUNA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 56, 27 March 1901, Page 2

INQUIRY INTO ACCIDENT TO THE TAKAPUNA.

![PER PBEBS ABBOOUTIOW. Nelson, March 25. A nautical enquiry was held to-day boforo Mr. Kobiuson, S.M, and Captains Wheeler and Whitwell, relative to the grounding of the b.b. Takapana near the French Pass on the night of the 11th February. Captain Graafc said his crow wa new to him. The man at the iu reply to a question, said he had steered through thePass before. He g«ve the correct' courso, but the vessel beginning to swing he ordered the helmsman to mei't her. Finding tha vessel did not answer he ordered the helm hard over. The orders were not carried out with (juite hs much promptitude as he could have wished, owing to the want of exj>erieiicfi on the part of the helnwmaa. A few MfonJn after his tost order wag jjivm the steamer took the ground 'J'in'i-e was no nbock. A lot of evi■■ko was taken, and eventually the Court siid ii was their opinion tfcat all reasonable care was exercised by the master, The affair was a pure accident, and there was no blame attachable to the m.s.er, officers, or crtw,

fThe Court was very strongly of opinion that a new survey should be m ido of the middle bank. The chart showed the note "still extending," and thy surrey was made in 1854, though alterations had been noted up to 1880. The Assessor.', who wera practical men, and had often come through the Pass, were very strongly of opinion that a j new surrey should be made. No order ' was Made as to costs.