The Taiaroa Enquiry.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1833, 17 May 1886, Page 2

The Taiaroa Enquiry.

The judgment in the Taiaroa enquiry has at length been delivered, the result being that Captain Thomson has been severely censured and his master’s certificate cancelled for a period of two years. This decision is perfectly just. The Taiaroa was steered a wrong course through carelessness and lack oi judgment on the part of the Captain, and so was rnn ashore, and became a wreck with the sad result of a heavy loss of life. In delivering judgment Mr Stratford, 8.M., who was assisted by two nautical assessors remarked : —“ To stun up ; It is with regret I feel bound to say that the captain never did anything whatever to prevent a fall power steamer being driven by wind and sea bodily to leeward broadside on to a beach 100 miles away from the port he was bound to. And for the reasons hereinbefore mentioned, I am of opinion that the certificate of competency, No 278, as a master mariner, of George Urquhart Thomson should be cancelled, and accordingly is cancelled. I, however, also feel justified in saying that the captain did the very best thing he could under the circumstances after his second officer bad reported that he coaid not effect a landing under the lee ; that he was self possessed, cool, considerate for others, and courageous. And with these conclusions as to his character, I beg to recommend lor the most favorable consideration of his Excellency that Captain George Urquhart Thomson shall be permitted to hold a mate’s certificate for the present, and that a master's certificate shall be re-iseued to him at the end of two years, provided that he shalljhave been at sea as a mate continuously during the interim. A mere suspension would not have met the merits of the case, as it would have enabled Captain Thomson to be re instated as a master mariner, and obtain a command without a year’s active experience as a subordinate, apparently necessary, and being the condition to be imposed to justify the recommeudation.