Schutze being assessors. Captain MacDonald deposed that he went in the tug at 7am on Sunday, when the bar was sounded, and the depth was found to be 22 feet. The water would rise 6ft more at high water (9am). The Perth was drawing 17ft llin aft, and 18ft 6in forward. She left the wharf at 8.45am, and had full speed up after passing the signal station, having the right beacons in line. He chose the best course revealed by the soundings. On reaching the bar the vessel bumped, losing part of her way. On recovering she bumped again, when she was still going at full speed. Then a third and harder shock was experienced, and the vessel lost all her way, and was at the mercy of the waves.
The water was entering the stokehold, whose crew were up to their knees in it. He proceeded to lower the boats, leaving when the water was coming through a hole in the bottom. The verdict of the court was that the stranding was due to the Perth being struck by three successive unusually large rollers at the moment when crossing the bar, moving her head northward, and bringing her set out of the river to starboard, tending to move her out of the channel. The captain had taken every precaution to ensure the safety of the vessel, and was quite justified in his view regarding the three ships that preceded him. No blame was attachable to any of the members of the crew. The captain’s certificate should be returned to him, and he is deserving of special commendation for his skilful manner of getting the crew ashore.
Mosgiel mill profits
In addressing the annual meeting of the Mosgiel Woollen Factory Company, the chairman of directors Sir John Roberts CMG said he was pleased again to be able to express on behalf of the board its great satisfaction with the manner in which the company's business had been carried on, both at the mill and in the warehouse. He said: “The balance of profit is £18,902 as against £18,933 last year, which I am sure shareholders will consider quite satisfactory. The directors recommend that a dividend of 8 percent and a bonus of 3 percent be paid, absorbing £9,190 six shillings and sixpence, leaving £9,720 13s 10d to be carried forward to the new profit and loss account for the current year, and I move accordingly.”
In seconding the motion, Mr John Mill said he was sure the report and balance sheet would give entire satisfaction to every shareholder, inasmuch as it showed the confidence proposed in the directors and managers was justified. A considerable sum of money had been expended upon new machinery, which had now been got going at the mill, and he had no doubt it would give a fair return during the interval between now and the next annual meeting. They hoped and trusted the directors would be long there to guide the destiny of the company.
New gold-bearing reef
A discovery that may mean a big thing in the way of gold production in this part of the dominion has recently been made in the Barrytown district (says the Grey River Argus). It appears that two residents have discovered an auriferous reef system some distance up the Punakaiki River, somewhere about half a dozen miles from the mouth of the stream, which shows signs of great promise.
— ODT,16.11.1921
