ASSISTANCE TO DISTRESSED VESSELS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 11922, 19 July 1906, Page 5

ASSISTANCE TO DISTRESSED VESSELS.

Not Imposed on Foreign Regis-

tered Ship*.

(Pei United Press Association"!.

AUCKLAND, July 18.

The nautical investigation into the question of whether the steamer Squall failed to go to the assistance of £he Murftai when the latter broke her tail shaft on the Manukau bar on June 2nd, had to be abandoned, the section of the Seamen's Act under which, the investigation -was ordered applying only to Now Zealand registered vessels. The Squall i 9 registered in Liverpool, though owned here. The Court therefore had no jurisdiction, so that it would appear the duty of assisting distressed ships in New Zealand waters is imposed solely on New Zealand registered vessels. It was also pointed out that, the regulations governing Nautical Courts were faulty, containing no provision for notification of officers concerned of the date anft place of enquiry, or the constitution of .the Court.