VESSEL WITHOUT WIRELESS

Taranaki Daily News, 22 November 1930, Page 6

VESSEL WITHOUT WIRELESS

EXTRA PASSENGERS CARRIED. A NORFOLK ISLAND INCIDENT. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland., Last Night_, Under a prosecution by the Marine Department Geoffrey George, master of the steamer Hikurahgi, appeared beforeMr, F- K. Hunt, S.M„ ill the Police Court cluu-g'ed. with taking the sliip to sea without a wireless installation ai)d carrying five more passengers than the number allowed by his certificate. Mr Hubble for the Department said the vessel had a certificate of survey as a foreign-going steamer. The usual crew- was fifteen, but this tiip to Norfolk Island the master had a special permit to take three more, who were signed on as members of the crew. Ou the return trip, however, he brought Lack four or five passengers, making a total of 22 or 23 on board. The largest number which a ship was entitled to carry without being equipped with wireless was 19. Mr. George pleaded not guilty on behalf of the captain. He said one of the three extra men taken down to Norfolk Island was not allowed, to land there by the authorities, who requested Captain George to bring back three or foui people who had been stranded on the island and could not afford to pay their fares back to New Zealand via Sydney. Captain George carried an extra lifeboat rm account of these additions to the complement. . . ' , Captain George was convicted, and ordered to pay costs. “The! Ijvcs of people oh board a ship-are in the hands of the master,” said Mr. Hunt. “The matter of failing to carry a radio is a serious one. In any ease the defendant should, have cabled from Norfolk Island for permission to carry extra passengers.”