THE WRECK OF THE TAIAROA.

(Continued from page IS.)

A SPECIAL'S REPORT.

Wellington, April 14,

The Evening Post's special reporter, who went down in the Penguin and returned this afternoon, supplies the following : — Tho Penguin left tho Queen's Wharf' at, 20 minutes past 11 on Monday morning, and' at about 4 p.m. reached Cape Campbell, under which we anchored for the night. ' A-. strong S.E. wind was experienced on the way downi ana owing to adverse circumstances we did not make the Cape as soon as we otherwise' would ,have done. Captain Bendall, Captain Williams,' and Captain Allman were inclined to the opinion that as it would not be possible to reach the scene of the wreck before dark, and as a heavy sea was running on the coast, which would render work exceedingly "dangerous, the best thing that could bo done was to anchor under Cape Campbell for the night and leave for the Clarence , River early in the morning. The vessel accordingly "came to an anchorage about a mile off the lighthouse shortly after 4 p.m., and a boat, containing Captains Williams and Bendall, Mr Grant (chief officer of the Ohau), the representative of the Evening Post (Mr J. R. Gibbons), and Mr D. Cameron — the boat being in charge of Mr Shepherd (the second officer of the Penguin) — was despatched for the shore for .the purpose of ascertaining whether the lighthouse people possessed any information concerning.the wreck. On. landing, the visitors learned that the residents at the Cape knew nothing, about the matter. They informed us that,they saw the Taiaroa pass the Cape at about 4 o'clock on Sunday afternoon ;'. that a north-west, breeze had sprung up shortly before ; and that the illfated vessel was bowling along at a good rate. One of the lighthouse men offered to lend us a couple of horses, bo that two of the party might ride over to the Clarence River. But the distance was over 20 miles, and the track bad ; and, as. darkness was approaching, we decided not to make the attempt, as we should be able to reach the desired locality just as quickly by water. After inspecting the lighthouse and partaking of the hospitality of the principal keeper, we returned on board. Soon after dinner Captain Allman observed that a light had been waved from the shore, and believing that the keepers had obtained some information since the departure of our party, he sent another boat ashore for the purpose, of ascertaining what the landsmen had to communicate. The signalling naturally caused come commotion on board, and everyone anxiously waited the return of tho boat, which oarae back in less than an hotjr.andreported that two 'men employed on Flaxbourne Station, which is situated several miles from the scene of the wreck, had just arrived at tho lighthouse with a few particulars concerning the sad event. The men from Flaxbourne stated that the Taiaroa had broken up, and it was believed that three boatloads of people had left the ship. They further reported that they had been sent along the | beach as far as the lighthouse, by the manager of the station, to see whether any bodies had been washed up. They informed Captain Bendall that when travelling along the beach they came across three bodies, a lifebuoy, and a boat s mast and sail, but did not think of looking at the name on the buoy. As they were about to return to the station, Captain Bendall instructed them to inform the manager that tho Penguin would be along early in the morning, fth'd would take ou board the survivors or any bodies that might be found in the interim. Tho Penguin got underway about 3 o'clock this inorning, and travelling at the rate of 10 knots, reached the scene of the wreck, shortly before 7 o'clock. The.Wakatu (Captain Wills), which had been telegraphed for from Lyttelton, arrived just before we • did, and the Wanaka, en route from Lyttelton to Wellington, put in an appearance at the same time as ourselves. Some time before we came to an anchorage we had ocular demonstration that the Taiaroa had not broken up as reported, as she could be seen lying on the edge of the beach apparently little damaged. Her bow is to the south, and instead of lying on her beam-ends as stated in the first message received in Wellington on Monday, she simply has a cant seaward. As we approached, several men could be seen moving about on the decks, and a number of others standing on ijhe deck, evidently awaiting the arrival of the steamers. From the fact that the vessel is lying close to the water's edge and appears to have sustained little damage, considerable surprise was expressed on board the relieving steamers that nearly all hands should j have been drowned. The scene of the wreck ia abut a mile to the north of Waipapa Point, and midway between the Clarence or Big River and a creek which runs down frpm the Kaikourg, ranges on the Cape Campbell side. The point forms the south end, of a large bight, in which the sea is always said to roll pretty heavily, and in which one could well imagine a small vessel would have a lively time in rough weather. The people living in the immediate vicinity of tho wreck know very little of the occurrence, as none of them saw the vessel go on shore. There is very little doubt that when she stranded the Taiaroa was hugging the shore too closely. Her deck-houses are very little damaged, but there, appear to bo several holes in her bottom. All the charts and papers have been recovered and taken on board the Penguin. Several articles belonging to passengers have also been re? covered. Amongst these is a lady's handbag containing two handkerchiefs marked "Jane Fitzgerald." Captain Bendall believes that it is possible to get the Taiaroa off if she is not more damaged than he believes her to be.

PARTICULARS FROM KBKBRANGU. Rekerangu, April 14. Sergeant White and Constable' Dew made a thorough search for bo3ie; here, and Constable Smart, of Kaikoura, along the coast at Trolove's station. Dr Bedford came through from Kaikoura last night, and made a medical examination ready for the inquest. The Rev. Mr M'Ara is also here from Kaikoura, to conduot the funeral. There hare been no further identifications up to the present. The body supposed to be that of Morrison, the fireman, is that of a much older man. No money or valuables were found on any of the bodies but that of the second engineer, whose body wa^ fonnd in M'Quartier's boat. He had £55 on him. Martinj the passenger, had £49. and was supposed to be on his way home to Nairn, in Scotland, where his relatives reside. Martin had also letters, his discharge as a seaman, and Government correspondence relating to a lighthouse appointment. Up to a fortnight ago tye was working' on the Flaxbourne Station, No money or valuables were found on board the wreck, except the captain's gold ring, whioh is in possession of Mr Liggins. The purser's books have been found in splendid order, but it is •nppefced that he bad a liirg*

sum of money upon him when he was drowned. His body has not been recovered. The body of chief officer Monkman has been identified by the papers on it. A ninth body was found yesterday at Flaxboume, but if has not yet been brought up here, and it is not known whether it is that of a seaman or passenger. Should the wind shift round to the north-east it is probable that all the bodies -will come ashore. The chief officer's body had on two shirts, from which he had evidently tried to extricate him* self, as both were off except at one wrist, where the other hand clutched it in a fruitless attempt to unbutton the wratband; It is probable that the position of the shirts hampered him in his attempts to swim ashore.

Among the money found on ' the body taken oat of M'Quartier's boat, and hitherto supposed t y be that of the engineer, was a cheque for £2 ss, drawn in favour of the Union Steam Ship Company on the Bank of New South Wales, signed "Erekine Galbrnith." It has been ascertained that the total number on board the Taiaroa was 48, of whom 14 were gaved. Besides the. nine bodies recovered, 25 bodies are unaccounted for at present. The body of the chief mate is to be removed to Blenheim after tho inquest. The others will be buried here. The man already referred to as the engineer is supposed' by some to be the purser, as a large sum of money and a cheque were found on him. His body wears the Company's uniform aud buttons, and has a Maltese cross tattooed on the front of the right forearm, and a Union Jack on the other arm, the staff beiug held by the figure of a sailor having a cutlass in the right band. ' Among the passengers was a gentleman named Murray, about 55 -years of age, who was on his way from Nelson to Lyttelton to meet his brother, Mr W. G. Murray. The deceased was not long out from Home, and had been resident at Dunedin. Mr W. G. Murray reached Kekerangu this morning, the Wakatu having landed him at the wreck last night. None of tho bodies recovered answer the description of his brother. Only one mail-bag has been recovered. The search by tho Kekerangu postmaster for the remainder of the mails, has proved a failure ap to the present. • • The bo<fy found at Flaxboume yesterday is that of Mr R. H. Vallance, whose brother hite since identified it. Among the relics of the wreck lying on the Clarence beach is a green box, with " J. Harbard " painted on it. The Taiaroa is now settling down in the tshiugle. The list seawards has increased to much that the deck is flush with the water, and the waves are washing over her in all states of the tide. The steamer is in charge of Joseph Nancarrow, who has been placed there by Captain Bendall. No other mail-bags have been recovered, but it is possible that they are under the cargo, which is all on one side of the vessel. Further search is to be made to-day. The coroner opens an inquest this afternoon, when the evidence of M'Quartier will bo taken. Gilbert Hutton left for Wellington in^the Wakatu last night. Mr Gerald Fitzgerald, of Blenheim, searched the beach to-day for the body of his aunt, but unsuccessfully. No other bodies have come ashore. A bundle of about 30 lifebelts came ashore this morning.

SERGEANT GRANT'S STATEMENT.

The Wakatu is expected off Kekerangu Point at daybreak, .with the steward to 1 identify tho bodies. She will take away the chief (Officer's body for Lyttelton.

Sergeant Grant is just in from Woodbank to give evidence at the inquest tomorrow. He says the Taiaroa was 'going -from eight to ten knots when she struck. Tho night was very wet aad'dirty. It was blowing a gale and there was a heavy sea on. He could just see the outlino of the hills. The boats were attached by a line astern; as it was thought better to wait for daylight before trying.to land ; but they soon capsized in the heavy sea* A rocket was sent up and blue lights burned to show the position' of the beach. After' Gpaiit swam ashore he wauderfcd eight miles northward along the beach, and finding nothing or a track went back again, ultimately reaching . Woodbank Station after gomg'up Sandy, creek under the impression that it was an unfinished road. ■ Grant is a stiff built powerful man, and none the worse for his adventure. He recovered from the wreck today his own luggage "and the Government box containing torpedo fittings.

THE INQUEST ON THE BODIES

The iuquest on the bodies of Robert Boylo Monkman .(chief officer of the Taiaroa), Alexander Martin (passenger by the same vessel), aud" three other bodies of persons unknown, was opened this afternoon at the Kekerangu &choolroom before Mr. John Allen, R.M. (coroner), and a jury of six, of which Alexauder M'Lachlan, manager Kekerangu. Station, was foreman. The Union Company was represented by Mr Liggins,' .Blenheim agent. Sergeant White conducted the inquiry on behalf of the police. After the jury had viewed the bodies in the woolshed, the following evidence was taken : — Dr Bedford, Kaikoura, gave the result of the examination of the bodies as follows : —

No» 1. — Man apparently about 45 years of ago; 'large portion of left leg eaten away by fishes; name unknown: No. 2. — Alexander Martin. No. 3.— Chief officer. , No. 4. — Young' mad in Union Company's uniform, supposed second or third engineer. No. s.*— A young -man, apparently a fireman. All the five men, he stated, had died by drowning. There were no marks of violence save a few scratches from collision with the boats or gravel. The Coroner inquired of the police if there were any marks of violence on the three bodies at Woodbank.

Sergeant White -replied in the negative. One was the second mate, and the other two seamen. ' ■ *'

Tha Coroner intimated that he should not hold aa inquest on those three, .but requested pr Bedford to examine the bodies and forward him particulars. John ■ M'Naught, shepherd, Flaxbourne, identified the_ body of Martin as that of a labourer working at Flaxbourn'e up to January last. He was a native of Scotland, and had an ancle named Thompson in Invercargill. Martin was'a' single man. John M'Lachlan deposed to finding the bodies on the beach north ofKekerangu. One was in the boat, the others lying- at high-water mark.' None had anything in ' their hands. Two wore lifebelts/ One body ' was naked all but the trousers and a shirt hanging by the wristband. He found several lifebelts scattered along the beach for 15 miles.. Be found no bodies south of Kekerangu, but saw the lining and bailer belonging to a boat and one lifebelt. The fastenings of the lifebelt seemed all right. It appeared as if it had been worn. C J. Liggins, agent for the Union Company at Blenheim, said he first visited the wreck at 1 o'clock on Tuesday morning, haviujg left Blenheim at 11 o'clock on the previous morning. TJie Taiaroa wae kio£ 15 mnea soujth pi , KekeraEird, vritb. tivr $&&%*s'?*& fa ihs Wacb, th'o

bow somewhat towards tho boach, übout 10 yards from the shore, at low water drawing 6ft. There was a slight list towards the beach, which was gravelly with boulders. He procured assistance from the Clarence bridge, and at daylight and low water put o man aboard and ran a cradle along a ropo from the foremast to the shore. He went aboard and searched the steamer thoroughly. He found the hull not broken, but both holds were full of water. Tho saloon was gutted, everything being smashed by the noa. The officers' rooms under the bridgo were in the same condition. The purser's room was locked. He broke it open and took out the ship's box. He searched for cash, but found none. He found no bodies. He left the wreck three hours before high water, wheu the sea was wabhing right across. Her holds were a mass of floating debrii. The Taiaroa had four boats. All appeared to have been let down from the davits. She could carry 90, but had only 20 passengers and 28 of a crew. The following had been saved : — Passengers : Robert Henderson and Thomas Harper, in the captain's boat; Sergeant Grant and Mr Hutton, at Woodbauk ; and Mr M'Quartier, at Kokerangu. Also George Thompson (captain), Duncan Campbell (chief steward), and seven of the crew ; making a total of 14 saved. He did not examine the engine-room aboard. He could not say how the telegraph was. Two lines were hanging aft. The Clarence bridge men had buen aboard before witness went, and had fastened ropes from the mast to the shoru to prevent her listing. It was quite possible for fuirh people to have altered the telegraph or done anything else, as they had the entire freedom of the ship. Witness collected the silver out of the saloou and placed it with tho ship's box on board the Wakatu for Wellington. The Company decided to abandon tho steamer, which he handed over to Captain Bendall for the Underwriters' Association. The Company, as usual, holds part of the insurance themselves. He could find no passengers' luggage on board. In the captain's room the charts of the coast were lying open, with parallels upon them to keep them open. Tho fact that the captain and chief steward left the steamer proved no one- was then on board, as they always left in the last boat. There did not seem tj have been much coufusiou at the time. Witness identified the body of the chief officer, aud said the second officer's certificate had been taken from one of the three bodies at Woudbank. Four of the passengers were women, an! there were 16 men, besides one child. The Taiaroa carried a btewardesa.

The inquest was adjourned till 9 the following morning, by which time the Wakatu is expected with the steward to identify the bodies. Th« evidence of the survivors Grant aud M'Quartier will be taken to-muri:ow.

The Coroner issued the nummary certificates for the burial of the chief officer and Martin.

MISCELLANEOUS.

The statement telegraphs! on Wednesday about the underwriters refusing to accept abandonment has reference only to the cargo in the vessel, some of which was ex the Kaikoura. Thtsteamer, which is said to worth £15,000, is insured by the Company in their own book*, and that sum above. £5000 had been written off.

Mr John Harper, of Christchurch, who was> saved, is well known in the North Canterbury district, having for many years been a coachdriver on the Ferry road.

The Timaru Herald notes as a somewhat singular coincidence that the cottage which hac been furnished by Mr Fitzgerald in anticipation of his wife's arrival was named Tararua Cottage. In furnishing it that disaster was recalled to him without any thought that a somewhat similar catastrophe would deprive him of hitwife. Mr Fitzgerald has gone to the scene oi the wreck.