Loss Of “Tiafau”

New Inquiry Ordered

From Our Own Correspondent APIA, June 4.

A COMMISSION which inquired into the loss of the motor-boat Tiafau. between Apia and Pago Pago, on January 17, has made public its findings. By a majority verdict it decided that the causes of the accident were: (a) Insufficient ballast in comparison with the load carried on the deck; (b) ballast badly secur ed; (c) want of expert seamanship on the part of the master, Captain Hicks.

The commission also found that those respon sible for the safety of the vessel had not taken all necessary and reasonable steps to prevent casualty, and that the owners and master of the “Tiafau” should be held responsible for the acci dent.

It was recommended that a Harbour Committee be appointed to draw up rules and regulations regarding local craft with a view to preventing accidents to vessels at sea, and that in future only certificated Board of Trade officers be allowed to handle vessels running on the Apia-Pago Pago service.

The owners and master of the “Tiafau” were ordered to contribute £3l/10/- toward the cost of the inquiry, A minority report presented by the Hon. I. H.

Carruthers attributed the wreck to an act of God, and made no recommendations.

When the above findings were commu nicated to Messrs. Burns Philp (S.S.) Ltd., owners of the Tiafau, they appealed for a re-opening of the investigation. It has now been announced by the Acting Administrator (Mr. A. C. Turnbull) that the N.Z. Government has ordered a new inquiry.

Chief Judge R. M. Watson (now on cir cuit duty in Samoa) will be chairman of the new commission, and Captain G. M.

Watson, of the Marine Department, Wel lington, will sit as nautical expert. A third member will be appointed locally.

Apart from dealing with the Tiafau disaster, the commission will investigate local shipping regulations, the Harbour Department, the conditions of coastal and inter-island traffic, and all charges, de tails, and personnel connected with it.

The commission will be prepared to give consideration to representations which might be submitted by local people.