LIABILITIES OF LOCAL BODIES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 7229, 9 August 1902, Page 2

LIABILITIES OF LOCAL BODIES.

A Ferry Rope a Source of Danger to Navigation.

A Case Before the Court.

A Magistrate's Comments.

At the Wanganui Magistrate's Court, a few days ago, the civil case, Wanganui County Council v. Alexander Hattrick, .V" claim £7 for damage to the wire " the Upokongaro Ferry. In decision, Mr Kettle said it was unnecessary for him to go Into the question as to whether the ferry was properly established ; that would, no doubt, be a cause for .1 further action, if the wire was not placed in a position so as- to be no longer a source of danger to the largelyincreasing steamer traffic. From the evidence, it was clear that the ferry was, in its relation to the steamer traffic, conducted in a slovenly and careless manner and he was compelled to give his decision against the County with _ , costs,

It was mentioned that in one accident a life had already been lost, and on another occasion all the passengers on the "Moutoa" steamer had been swept into the river some years ago, and that in the Ohura accident—the present cause of action —if the steamer had got bror.dsiile on to the wiro ropo in the heavy freshet, and it had not parted, the result might have bsen very serious.