Tho Taiaroa Enquiry.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5616, 12 May 1886, Page 3

Tho Taiaroa Enquiry.

• CLOSE OP THE CASE. [Pbb Pbbsb Association.] WELLINGTON, Mat 12. The Taiaroa enquiry was resumed at 12.15 p.m. to-day. Mr Travers addressed the Court on Captain Thomson's behalf. He contended that even if the course had never been altered at all after passing Cape Campbell, the ship would still have passed the land three mileß outside Waipapa Point. Mr Bell's assumption that the captain, was mistaken in thinking he really had altered his course below the cape was not justified by the evidence, for they had Captain Thomson's assertion that he did do it. The Court here interrupted Mr Travers, and after consultation said they had no doubt that the order to alter the course was given. Counsel went on to say that the master of the ship was presumably on his right course, ana had confidence in his officers. He naturally would not think of looking at the compasses, especially when from 4 p.m. the second mate and then the chief officer were in charge. He argued that it was not fair to blame the captain for that. There were some important circumstances which had never come tothe master's notice. The chief mate was informed that land had been seen on the port bow, and it was his duty, regulations or no regulations, to have at once taken steps to put the ship in safety. He did not wish to speak hardly of the dead, but the stern logic of facts seemed to indicate that in the interval between the first mate taking charge, and the time of striking, great negligence had been shown by him. In all prohability, by some error or other, the course was altered. The Taiaroa'a propeller always projected slightly from the water, whatever her trim, and gave the idea of being light, no matter how she was loaded. This had been observed the very morning she left Wellington. He submitted that the only point was whether there was negligence on the part of the captain in the interval between 6 o'clock, when he went below, and the time of striking. The Court adjourned till 10 a.m. tomorrow, when judgment will be given.