THE ELINGAMITE WRECK.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3173, 20 March 1911, Page 5

THE ELINGAMITE WRECK.

WAS THE CAPTAIN TO BLAME?

THREE KINGS ” SAIH TO BE INCORRECTLY CHARTED.

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION .2 WELLINGTON, March 19. The case of Cantain Atwood,, formerJv captain of the Elingamite, which was wrecked on the Three Kings in 1902., was brought under the notice of the Minister for Marine (Hon.J.A. Millar) yesterday by Mr Tv M. W llford, M.P. representing the Merchant- Service Guild 1 in Wellington. Mr AVilforcl said that facilities should be offered to Captain Atwood for a rehearing of the enquiry, in view of the recently discovered fact that the islands had been wrongly charted. Charts had been showii to him (Mr wilford) which proved that if the Three Kings had been properly charted, the bourse Captain Atwood steered' would have cleared him of them bv three miles, and Minister would realise what a difference that woni d have made if it had been known at the time of the enquiry. Tie would not say anything at this stage about what- Captain Atwood had suffered; that was a matter he was not at all afraid of in the e of its being proved that the course he steered would have easily cleared the Three Kings. He wanted ,to aslc the .-Minister if he would furnish Captain At wood with a copy of the evidence given at the enquiry into the wreck of the Elingamite, and also if he upulo take the opinion of the Crown E a " oers as to what procedure could be adopted to give Captain Atwood an opportunity to bring the 'feyen closed facts before any tribunal t at might be set up for the purpose The Minister said that he would be very glad indeed to consult the Croun Law Officers, and see what steps could be taken to afford Captain Atwood an opportunity of clearing his name..No rlnnht three miles' made al] the clitrei fnce poshble, but. of course, he could not at nresent say, not having, seen the charts, whether the course steeied woußor’ would not, taken vessel past- the Thro© Ivipt, • . could he shown that if-th* imnronerlv charted and the captain nau Xerecf a safe course he did not think his certificate should remain in itsjn csent position. As far as lie (the Mmistei) was concerned, lie would giv ‘,P f Atwood every opportunity to cieai ’"w Wilfovtl: we are not considering the question of recompense, but iemstatement. -