THE MAGISTERIAL ENQUIRY.

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

THE MAGISTERIAL ENQUIRY.

Auckland, This Day. The magisterial enquiry commonoed to-day beforo Mr. H. W. Northoroft, S M., and Captains Clayton and Andrews, Assessors. Solicitors represent the Crown, the Union Company, the surviving officers, the friends of viotims, and the dooeased captain. Mr. Theo. Coopor, who appears for the Collector of Customs, stated that 16 officers and 12 passengers would give evidenoe. fie explained that the Crown was not prosecuting anyone, but referred to the importance of eliciting tbe whole truth. He also commented upon tho fact that only one child was saved, and no mother with a young child was rescued. He spoke enlogiotically regarding the horoio conduoi of the BlewardvßSCd and stewards in trying to save life, and stated that tho evidence wonld show 1 hat some of thorn might have saved their own lives but lost them in assisting passengers, and one stewarde&B aotually gave up her means of safety to a passenger. As far as the couduot of tho ship's officers was concerned, he preferred not to say anything nutil the faots wore ascertained. 1 hero wore rumours which made it necessary to consider whether or not there was sufficient discipline maintained. Evidence would be given tending to show that some, at any rate, of the oflioora were not so prompt in the discharge of their duties as they might have been. Ho hoped that that would not bo proved, and that discredit would not be thrown on anyone. Kudolf Prchl, the first witness, deposed that ho was assistant at the. Mokohinau Lighthouse. On the night of the accident there was hazy but not foggy weather until towards night. At 8 o'oloolc he oould see from 20 to 30 miles. The light was burning all night. He had Been it 30 miles up the coast. It was a revolving flash, and should be seen 18 miles. The evidence of Mr. Moya, first officer, went to show that after sighting tho North Cape at 20 minutes to 8 o'clock on Sunday morning, the ship proceeded on her courße at full speed through a heavy fog. Sometimes they could not see so much as a mile ahead, and at best only about two miles Judging from the log, which ho considered aoourate, the Wairarapa was abreast of Cape Brett at 7.30 p.m. At Bin the evoniug on Sunday he was relieved, but did not turn in, feeling anxious, till 11.30. During tho day the captain was nearly always on the bridge. '1 he officers consulted with him on tho advisability of slackening the Bpeed of the vessel. He replied that ho would go ou as far as tho Hen and Chiokens, and then slow down. At 10 p.m., when witness estimated the ship was abreast of these islands, the captain did not Blow down as he hud promised.' AM the offioera ask'd him to blow the horn, but ho refused, as ho eaid it would disturb tho passengers. Ju reply to Mr. Cooper, the officer said that the provision of article 13 to the effect that the ship should slow down in a fog was not complied with. After tho vessel struck the officor jumped from his berth and went on deok and helped with the others to get the boats lannched, but only succeeded in the case of two. After this he went to the captain, who was 'alone on the bridge, and asked him where he thought the vessel was. He replied "On the Hen and Chiokens," said good bye to the witness, and told him to savo himself. The witness Baid he would rather stay, but the Captain ordered him forward, so he went with the purser and hung on nearly all night to the tore-tigging with the Beas breaking over them. The rigging was full of people, and ho being cramped crawled over them and sat on the cross-trees. Witness saw nothing of the captain when tbe bridge went. Ho reckoned that they passed tbe Moko Hiuau light at 11 o'clock.. They raußt have been seven or eight miles outside Moko Hinau when they passed it. They did not see it, though they searched often for the light from both bows. [Left sitting.]