THE CYGNET CASE

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13941, 29 June 1909, Page 6

THE CYGNET CASE

NOT OVERCROWDED.

Per Press Association

LYTTELTON, Juno 28. ' Captain Alurray, master of the stcaj iner Cygnet, was prosecuted thismorn- ! ing by the Collector of Customs for the | alleged overcrowding of his steamer on i Easter Monday at Akaroa. The Cygnet was engaged in. carrying • passengers between the wharf and I the Mararoa, which, was anchored inI side the harbour. The Cygnet is lict ensed to carry 366 passengers, and on '"onp trip it was alleged that the Cyg- : net was so much overcrowded as to roll heavily, and the experience was des- : cribed as a nightmare in next day's paper.

The evidence called by the Collector of Customs A\as to the effect that the forepart of the main deck was crowded, but witnesses were unable to say how many were on board, as no one had counted the passengers or was able to make an estimate of the number.

Mr T. A. Bailey, S.AL, stated that in a ease of this sort the evidence required to be clear. No evidence had been given that more than 366 persons were on board, and though she perhaps seemed over-crowded, the Cygnet was only a small vessel. The case was dismissed.