Second “Tiafau” Inquiry
p. 66 · Read in the full issue
From Our Own Correspondent APIA, August 29.
THE second inquiry into the wreck early this year of the Motor Launch Tiafau has been completed, and the findings have been published. The second findings differ from those of the ;first Commission in that they exonerate the owners of the vessel, Messrs. Burns Philp (S.S.) Co.
Ltd. of neglect and place the blame solely on the captain of the Tiafau, Mr. Willy Hicks, who is held responsible for the casualty.
The minority report by an assessor of the first Commission, Hon. I. H. Car ruthers, expressing the opinion that the foundering of the vessel was an act of God, is also contradicted by the second Com mission.
It may be stated that the findings of the first and second Commissions were not in accordance with public opinion in Apia.
Mr. M. V. Bell, who has completed a three years’ term as Registrar of Courts in the Cook Islands, arrived in Welling ton, New Zealand, with his wife on August 17. He will shortly take over the duties of Chief Clerk of the Native Land Court in Auckland.