THE VERDICT OF THE JURY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXIX, Issue 7734, 2 March 1909, Page 1

THE VERDICT OF THE JURY.

WELLINGTON, March 1. The following is the verdict of the jury concerning the Penguin disaster: (1) "That Mrs Brittain and others came .-to their, death by the wreck of the Penguin." (2) " That the course laid down by Captain Naylor would, under ; ordinary circumstances, have been perfectly safe, but was affected by adverse winds and j contrary tides and currents,' and having lost his bearings through the. thickness of the weather, no lights bring visible after 8-30 p.m., and the vessel struck at 10.2 p.m. The-JRenguin struck upon some object, tlie exact locality of which has not been defined, and became a total wreck." (3) "That the conduct of Captain Naylor and the crew of the Penguin after the vessel struck was, m all respects, admirable. (4) " That on the evidence submitted. it is apparent that; all was done by the Union Steam Ship Company, the police, Mr and Mrs McMenamin and their men for the care-of the dead and the welfare of the survivors,-that could be done unde'rsTth'e 1 circumstances." (5) "That haying regard to the number of wrecks m this vicinity, and with a view to preventing.'the recurrence j of. such a deplorable disaster asi the wreck of the Penguin and consequent loss of life, the jury is of the opinion that a lighten Tongue Point is desirable, and its erection should-be considered fayI ourably by. the Marine Department." (6) " That the jury, is of opinion that steps should be taken sneedily by the Marine Department to locate, the hull of the Penguin." '