XN000022-1972-10-31 — Page 4

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Tuesday, October 31, 1972

NEW MARINE COURT TO INVESTIGATE "FATSHAN" SINKING

A new Marine Court has been appointed by the Governor to

continue the investigation into the cause of the sinking of s.s. Fatshan

during the passage of Typhoon Rose in August last year.

The new Court has been appointed because of a necessary change

in the membership of the former Court which comprised Judge W.S. Collier

as president, and Captain R.B. Weeks and Mr. Li Fook-hing as assessors.

The previous enquiry was adjourned while the possibility of

salvage was examined. As a result of the delay, Captain Weeks is no

longer available to serve.

In his place Captain Maurice Douglas Burbidge has been appointed

an assessor of the new Marine Court, with Judge Collier as president and

Mr. Li as the other assessor.

Captain Burbidge has consented to the new Court adopting the

evidence already given before the former Court during its hearings from

February 28 to March 6 this year, so that the witnesses who have given

evidence will not have to be recalled to repeat it.

The new Marine Court will commence hearing on Friday (November 3)

at 2.30 p.m. in Room 150, Central Government Offices, Main Wing, Central.

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