McGregor v Huddart Parker Ltd [1919] HCA 28; (1919) 26 CLR 336 (13 June 1919)

HIGH COURT OF AUSTRALIA

McGregor and Another Plaintiffs, Appellants; and Huddart Parker Limited Defendant, Respondent.

H C of A

On appeal from the Supreme Court of Tasmania.

13 June 1919

Barton, Isaacs, and Rich JJ.

H. I. Cohen, for the appellants.

Starke, for the respondent.

The judgment of the Court, which was read by Isaacs J., was as follows:—

June 13

Barton, Isaacs, and Rich JJ.

This is an appeal from the Supreme Court of Tasmania dismissing an appeal from the decision of the Commissioner sitting in the Police Court, Hobart. The action was brought on a bill of lading to recover £18 15s. for damage caused to sugar carried by the respondent in an inter-State voyage from Sydney to Hobart. There was no question as to the bailment or the fact or amount of damage. The defence was that the injury was caused by (1) perils of the sea and (2) water getting into the hold, both of which causes are included in clause 9 of the conditions as exceptions to responsibility for damage. The Commissioner found, what was really not disputed, that the damage was caused by sea-water dashing over the side of the ship and finding its way into the hold where the sugar was stowed. He held that the water so getting in was primâ facie the result of perils of the sea. So much is beyond cavil. But he went on to hold that, inasmuch as the facts showed the injury was primâ facie caused by the perils of the sea, the respondent must succeed unless the appellants, on the principle of The Glendarroch[1], satisfied the onus of displacing the primâ facie conclusion by showing negligence of the respondent as the proximate cause. He held that there was no evidence to satisfy that onus, and, after observing that seaworthiness was not in issue, gave judgment for the respondent. The learned Chief Justice of Tasmania followed the same lines, and upheld the decision.

Before us several points were argued, some of great public importance.

The first point argued for the appellants was that under sec. 8 (2) of the Sea-Carriage of Goods Act 1904 it is a condition precedent of exemption from liability for any of the causes set out in that sub-section, that the shipowner shall establish that the ship was seaworthy. Ultimately the respondent did not contest that view. It is clearly right. The immunity given by the sub-section is all conditioned by the word "if" and what follows that word. If any authority direct or by analogy were wanted, it is found in the cases of Dobell & Co. v. Steamship Rossmore Co.[2]; McFadden v. Blue Star Line[3]; Lennard's Carrying Co. v. Asiatic Petroleum Co.[4], per Hamilton L.J. and per Lord Dunedin. The case of The Wildcroft[5] is directly in point. The Glendarroch[6] has no application to the sub-section referred to.

The case, however, does not rest there. It is contended on behalf of the respondent that in fact the Commissioner found the ship seaworthy, notwithstanding his observation that seaworthiness was not in issue. Under the Tasmanian Act (Local Courts Act) there is no appeal on facts, and therefore it becomes crucial to see whether the necessary facts were actually found by the Commissioner. If the Commissioner did find seaworthiness, the appellants must fail, for the finding could not be reviewed. If he did not, the case might have to go back to have that fact determined. It would not be just to give the appellants another opportunity to fight the other questions already fought out and decided; and so it would have to be considered whether a new trial could be ordered on one issue or not.

But the respondent raises another serious question of law under the express terms of its contract. The bill of lading contains a provision in these words: "The Company receives goods to be forwarded subject to the exceptions and exemptions to be implied pursuant to sec. 8 (2) of the Sea-Carriage of Goods Act 1904, and any other statutory exemptions or limitations, and in addition thereto the terms, conditions and exceptions hereinafter mentioned, but such last mentioned terms, conditions and exceptions are to be construed as qualified by the provisions of the Sea-Carriage of Goods Act 1904 so that any term or clause therein is to be interpreted so as not to include or cover anything declared illegal by that Act." Under that provision the respondent claims that the express exception "perils of the sea" contained in clause 9 of the terms, conditions and exceptions is not declared illegal by the Act, and therefore it by its express contract—as distinguished from its statutory implied exemption—is entitled at common law to succeed in the absence of the plaintiffs' showing unseaworthiness or negligence as the proximate cause of loss. The respondent relies on Australasian United Steam Navigation Co. v. Hiskens[7] to support its contention. Before this case could be sent for new trial that contention would have to be settled. Yet Hiskens's Case was apparently never referred to in the Courts below. In dealing with the last-mentioned contention, a question as to vagueness or uncertainty (see Davies v. Davies[8]) might require consideration.

The determination of these latter points is so important to the whole community that, particularly in view of the fact that Hiskens's Case[9] was decided by a larger Court than the present, the matter should receive the consideration of the Full Bench. On the whole, in view of the unsatisfactory state of the findings (which leave it somewhat doubtful whether the whole case does depend on a question of fact), of the necessity of a new trial in one event, and of the smallness of the amount at stake, we think this is not a proper case in which to investigate the further very far-reaching question raised under the Sea-Carriage of Goods Act, and consequently have come to the conclusion that the order of 11th December 1918 giving special leave to appeal should be rescinded.

Order for special leave to appeal rescinded.

Solicitors for the appellants, Frank Brennan & Rundle, for Okines & Ogilvie, Hobart.

Solicitors for the respondent, Malleson, Stewart, Stawell & Nankivell, for Perkins & Dear, Hobart.

[1] (1894) P., 226.

[2] (1895) 2 Q.B., 408.

[3] (1905) 1 K.B., at p. 707.

[4] (1914) 1 K.B., at p. 436; (1915) A.C., at p. 715.

[5] [1906] USSC 77; 201 U.S., 378.

[6] (1894) P., 226.

[7] [1914] HCA 56; 18 C.L.R., 646.

[8] 36 Ch. D., 359, at p. 387.

[9] [1914] HCA 56; 18 C.L.R., 646.