THE MISHAP TO THE TARAWERA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2761, 16 March 1910, Page 3

THE MISHAP TO THE TARAWERA.

A STATEMENT CONTRADICTED

[Peu Pnicsn Association. | I NAPIER, March 15. “When reading the preface to Mr. Nelson’s pamphlet,” says Captain Lake, harbormaster at Napier, in a report presented to the Napier Harbor Board today, “I noticed that lie had a paragraph referring to the Tarawera mishap, which, reads as follows:—‘I am informed by seafaring men in responsible positions, who were eye-witnesses, that the Tarawera was not stranded on the Auckland rock, but on a shoal within the breakwater harbor. If that is the case, the survey made by Mr. Marchant is evidently not accurate at the present time.’ Now, sir,” continues Captain Lake, “this is an absolute untruth, as the ship was as nearly on the pinnacle of the. Auckland rock as it wap possible to be, which can also be proved by the signed and sworn depositions of the master and officers, now in possession of the Marine Department. As the Auckland rock lies to the north; of the 1 breakwater harbor limit, the vessel could not, therefore, have been within that limit, and there is no other shoal to the north of the wharves, excepting foul ground around the Auckland rock, which is marked by buoys gazetted and approved by the Marine Department. The statement made casts an unfair reflection upon the Board’s officials, myself in particular, as I am responsible to the Board) for information upon these matters, and I trust that you will refute them.” The letter was received.