INCIDENTS OF THE INQUEST. THE VESSEL'S SPEED AND CHIEF OFFICER'S ACTION.

Evening Post, Volume XLVIII, Issue 109, 5 November 1894, Page 2

INCIDENTS OF THE INQUEST. THE VESSEL'S SPEED AND CHIEF OFFICER'S ACTION.

Mr. Frank Leighton, one of the surviving passengers, was asked by the Coroner (Mr. Palmer)— Did you hear the passengers say anything about slowing down on Snnday night?— Witness -Mr. Chiok said we ought to lie to, and not attempt to reach Auckland that night, as he had been in a wreck once that was caused by not following this course. Did others make a similar remark?— Not until after the vossel had struck, that I remember. Then the general opinion was that she should have lain to?— I felt sure on isunday night, continued Mr. Leighton, that the officers were not easy in their minds about the ship, as they were frequently consulting with each other, and seemed very anxious. The Foreman — Did you, or anyone else to your knowledge, see land after passing the North Cape ?— No. Dr. Lawry — Did the chief officer diroot or superintend the attempted landing on the rooks after the death of the captain ? — He endeavoured to do so in the early part of the morning, about an hour or so before the line was actually got on shore, when he retired to the rigging, because, he said, he had become cramped. Afi er the people got on to the rocks, did the first mate take a leading part in providing for their oorafort and safety? — No, he did not. All acted for themselves. You spoko just now about tho gear not running tmoothly ?— lt did not run at all on one of the starboard boats amidships, although the effort was made before the vessel listed. COMPLAINT AGAINST THE TJNION COMPANY. Mr. Charles Spencer, wishing to give evidence, waa sworn, and said— My father was among the drowned. On hearing the news in Auckland ou Thursday morning, at 9 o'clock, I went down to the Union Company to see if they were sending down to the scone of the disaster. I was informed by the manager that they were not, but that the Northern S.S. Coon any were running that evening at 8 o'olock. Being very anxious to get down to the wreck, I felt very much hurt, at this delay in sending, and 1 wish to give evidence to «ay that it is a scandal that the Union S.S. Company did not send away a boat immediately on reoeipt of the nows, so as to render aid and recover the dead, especially as there was a poseibility of some being still alive. Mr. C. W. Butler, steward, asked— Do you think it pbsaible there was someone alive ?— I did in Auckland. ■ Did yon not know that boats were searohing everywhere? -They oould not do so very well without the aid of a steamer. Was not the aid of a steamer absolutely unnecessary in searching for bodies ? — I do not think so, as the ooast is so rugged. Do you know that no one could be alive on it at all ?— I do not. There is alwayß the possibility. The Argyle had searched round the whole island before going to Auckland, and so no one oould be alive. If a boat had been sent down immediately, do yon assert that anyone could have been saved?— lt is possible they might. Do you think everything was done at tho wreck that could have been done for the passengers ?— Yes, everything in the bounds of possibility. The _ third mate— Supposing the Union Company had despatobed a boat immediately on receipt of the news, when would the boat have arrived here? — About eight hours after. Tfou know she would not have arrived here till dark?— lt was possible for the f tearaer to have been here between 12 and 1 o'olook that day. I had five boats at my disposal, and did everything in the bounds of possibility, so don't you think that sending a steamer oonld have dono nothing more in aiding than I was doing?— l do not.