Finding of the Court.

An inquiry into the stranding of the barque was held on March 2, and thepage 164following decision given by the nautical assessors:—

"The Court is of the opinion that the barque Anazi was stranded in consequence of the mismanagement of the master, Captain Holman, whilst labouring under the influence of liquor. The Court is also of opinion that the chief mate, Mr. Wise, has been guilty of gross neglect of duty and showed an utter disregard for the safety of the ship from the time she was laid to until she stranded. The Court is further of opinion that the second mate, Mr. Marsack, was extremely culpable in not at once reporting to the chief mate the fact that he believed the captain to be under the influence of liquor. The fifth section of the Inquiry Into Wrecks Act, 1869, prohibits the Court from cancelling or suspending the certificates of the officers unless it be proved that the ship was 'seriously damaged,' the act of stranding being entirely ignored. The evidence shows that the stranding of the Anazi caused her to lose 12ft of her false keel, but otherwise she does not appear to have been injured. The question therefore to be considered is, does the loss of 12ft of false keel constitute 'serious damage' as contemplated by the 15th section of the Act, under which these proceedings are instituted? Upon that point no evidence whatever was offered. The nautical assessors of the Court are of the opinion that it 'does not,' and therefore the Court has no power to deal with the case under the Inquiry Into Wrecks Act, 1869."

On the application of Mr. Brookfield, his Worship said Captain Holman must pay costs. He had had a narrow escape, and he hoped it would prove a salutary lesson to him through life.