WAHINE AND TUG COLLISION.

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

WAHINE AND TUG COLLISION.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I notice that some members of the Lyttelton Harbour Board resent my questioning the Minister for Marine regarding an inquiry into the collision between the ferry steamer Wahine and the Harbour Board’s tug. The collision is not a matter between the big Union Steam Ship Company and the board only. What abov*t the 400 or 500 passengers ; also the crew of the Wahine ; and the twelve men who comprise the crew of the tug? These latter had a most narrow escape, as the tug nearly turned turtle. One account I got states that “ a few seconds made all the difference, or some of them would surely have been drowned.” The own* ers of the vessels are not the only people concerned. This was a major accident. The stem of the Wahine cut deeply into the stern of the tug. The lOin by 12in hardwood belting, armoured with an additional bolt of lin iron, was cut clean through ,and the steel plates of the hull were pushed in an cut, while some of the deck planks were strained^ When the little John Anderson (52 tons) bumped into the Defence launch in the inner harbour, and no damage was done, an inquirv was ordered. On another occasion the John Anderson and another small steamer, the Puraii, bumped. Damage, a broken rail. An inquiry was ordered, and the captain* ordered to pay costs. An inquiry was also ordered in connection with a slight accident to the Cygnet; but in connection with this major accident the Harbour Board wants to have the whole matter hushed up. Captain Munro represents the shipowners on the Harbour Board, and is entitled to do the be,,t he can for those he represents. In the last analysis Parliament is the controlling authority, the board merely exercises delegated authority, if the board fails to impartially carry out the duties, which Parliament lias delegated to it, I. as member foi Lyttelton representing the people in Parliament, which has delegated the authority to the board, have every right to draw Parliament’s attention to the fact that in a major accident where a big shipping company was involved and a number of lives were risked, the board failed to do its duty to the public. I am. etc. Sj