TITANIC INQUIRY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 123, 23 May 1912, Page 5

TITANIC INQUIRY.

BEST EQUIPMENT AFLOAT. SPEED IN THE ICEFIELD. REDUCED AHD COITBSE ALTERED. (By Cable.—Press Association.—CopyrigW:.) (.Received 10.10 a.m.) LONDON, May 22. Mr. Ligbtoller, second officer of the Titanic, said that the vessel was at a reduced speed when she struck the berg, and several boilers were off. It was impracticable to lower a boat full of people. The Titanic had the best equipment afloat. The president (Lord Mersey) said it •was clear that the Titanic was manned far in excess of the Board of Trade requirements. Mr. Pitman testified that he was certain that the vessel did not break in two. The course waa altered southward aorne hours before the collision, presumably to avoid ice. Counsel incidentally stated that the company estimated that the Titanic wna seven miles south of the regular track. Mr. Lowe, fifth officer, gave evidence, that after lashing four boats together and transferring his passengers, he returned towards the Titanic and rescued four more. It would have been suicidal to return immediately the Titanic sank, because the struggling people would have swamped the boat.