CASE FOR INQUIRY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16780, 8 July 1922, Page 8

CASE FOR INQUIRY.

The letter from the member for Lyttelton which we print in this issue raises a question of some publio interest. On January 12. of this year the ferry steamer Wahine was entering the harbour at Lyttelton, when she collided with the Harbour Board’s tug. The latter was considerably damaged, and according to all accounts had a narrow escape from being sunk The board’s engineer subsequently reported that had she been struck amidships nothing could have saved lier from that fate. Though six months have elapsed since the collision there hae been no public inquiry. As Mr M’Corabs points out, other marine accidents have been promptly inquired into and the findings published, but in this case that course has not been followed. The matter was made the subject of a question in the House by the member for Lyttelton, and it is rather puzzling to find that his inquiry provoked the resentment of some members of the Harbour Board, one member going so far as to say that he “ did not like interference in the Board's affairs.” Members of Parliament are not likely to acquiesce in such a restriction of their field of activities. The board, we are informed, discussed the collision in committee, but came to no decision. Tt has not received any notice from the Marine Department regarding an inquiry. The circumstances demand the holding of a public injuiry and the proper apportionment of responsibility. Both life and property were endangered by the accident, and the Usual practice of holding a public inquiry should he followed. The collision may bo primarily the board’s business, but it is also the business of the public.