THE ELINGAMITE WRECK.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 298, 16 December 1902, Page 5

THE ELINGAMITE WRECK.

MR WETHERILT'S EVIDENCE

TO BE TAKEN AT ROTORUA

The inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the wreck of the s.s. Elingamite on the Three Kings on November 9 was resumed at the S.M. Court this morning:, before Mr W. R. Haselden, S.M., Captains Waddilove and Smith, and Mr G. Twigden, assessors. Mr Tole stated that he had sanguinely hoped to have completed whole of the , evidence to-day, but he regretted that the condition of one of the witnesses (Mr Wetherilt), who was at Rotorua, was such that he was absolutely prevented from travelling to Auckland. The nerves of his feet were severely congested, and he suffered considerable agony, the doctor absolutely prohibiting his coming- to Auckland _. dangerous to life, or at all events, likely to prolong his illness. He therefore suggested that the Court should adjourn to Rotorua. He did not know what Mr Wetherilt's evidence wa_ to . be, but he would not accept the responsibility of closing the inquiry before that evidence had been taken. Some discussion on the point took place among counsel, and it was eventually decided, on the sugg-estton of Mr Haselden. that a commission should proceed to Rotorua to take the evidence. It was decided that Captains Waddilove and Smith, and Mr G. Twigden, assessors, should form the commission, and that if his engagements would permit, Mr Haselden should also go, the Bench being thus complete.

' Mr Tole, Crown Prosecutor, will examine witnesses, and Mr T. Cotter, retained by the engineers, will watch the proceeding's- on behalf of all the officers, the Government paying bis fees. Captain Atwood and one of the engineers will also be present at the taking of the evidence, in order to advise the solicitor.

The commission will return to town on Saturday, and the Court will probably resume at 10.30 a.m. on Tuesday next.