TE AROHA WRECK.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2056, 17 April 1907, Page 3

TE AROHA WRECK.

CREW ASK THAT PROCEEDINGS BE TAKEN. Press Assqciatlpn. AUCKLAND, yesterday. A petition signed by half of the crew of the steamer To Aroha, which foundered near Wliangarei last week, has been forwarded to the Minister fo.- Marino, asking him to proceed, under section 224 of t.hp Shipping and Seamen’s Act, against all responsible for the vessel going to sea in an unscaworthy condition. At a mooing of the Harbor Board this afternoon Mr. J. K. Kneen gave notice of the followink motion with regard to the foundering of the To Aroha and of the capsizing of the patiki Marion “(1) That in view of the finding of the recent nautical inquiry into the foundering of the Tc Aroha, this Board is of opinion that a stricter examination is needed and considers that a more rigid survey of some of the vessels lying within the jurisdiction of this _ Board is urgently required in the interests of public safety. (2) The Minister for Marine be urged to introduce legislation empowering Harbor Boards to control more effectively than at present pleasure craft plying within limits controlled by respective Harbor Boards. The N.Z. Herald states: “The finding of the Court in the Te Aroha inquiry is to the effect that the vessel was unfit to undertake the voyage on which she was engaged at the time of foundering. With this decision all who have followed the evidence will fully agree. She had been lying on the. stocks for eight years, and when sold for service on tho Waikato river was very'insufficiently patched up to enable her to be “nursed” round the coast to her destination. Her covering boards, one of the most vital parts of the vessel, were absolutely

rotton, as wore also hor coal bunkers. Tho rosult was inovitablo. Tho day after lior departure from Auckland hor soams oponed, tho water poured in, and she sank, her crow, fortunately, being able to save their lives. How on mo it that a vessel in such a condition was permitted to leave tho port? Tho Court finds that she was not surveyed lor the voyage on which she started, and that no certificate as required by law was issued to hor. Yet, notwithstanding those omissions; she was allowed to steam out of tho harbor. It was nobody’s duty, apparently, to stop her,and no one, it seems, is to blamo oxcopt the owner, who, however, did nothing intentional or wilful. It therefore amounts to this, that it is possible for what is practically an uuseawortby vessel to take her departure without let or bindriinco. XX’o confoss that wo do not consider this to be either a satisfactory condition of tilings, or in accordance with the lottor or spirit of the Act. It destroys ovory safeguard provided by law for tho protection of tho lives of passengers and crow, and 'completely stultifies tho intentions of the Legislature. Tho finding of the Court does not clonr up the mystery, and as the | mnttor is ono of supreme importance, i wo hopo the Minister of Marine will cause further inquiries to bo made.”

A RECORD SURPLUS. Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, yesterday. It is understood that the revenue returns for the year to March 31st will show a record surplus. The Acting-Premier states that owing to the widespread nature of the accounts, the figures would not bo available till the end of the month. Railway and Customs revenue arc expected to show exceptionally good results.