THE KUMARA FATALITY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 25, 30 January 1926, Page 10

THE KUMARA FATALITY.

INQUIRY BY CORONER. A NEGLECTED ORDER, CBy Telegraph.—Press Association.) WANGANUI, this day. t> 11 ?^ 5 * concernin g the drowning of Robert William Batty, an officer of the eteamer Kumara, disclosed that he was sent ashore by the first officer with a crew of four able seamen to pick up Captain Christie. He was told to keep a mile to the northward of the north mole, so as to allow for leeway. That order, it was asserted, was not earned out. The boat was a mile south of the south mole before the sail was lowered, and she was rowed up to the entrance which is 600 feet wide. She came in about 200 feet off the south mole. Apparently the men were tired after strenuous rowing, and ceased operations "When 100 yards up the entrance the boat was caught by a strong ebb tide and swell, caused by a northerly gale, and crashed on the rocks. Deceased gave the order, "Look out for yourselves, lads, cling to the piles for a time.' . Deceased managed to hold on to a pile, hut was washed away by the heavy sea. He was last seen about 20 yards from the mole, trying to reach the mast and wreckage of" the boat. He was wearing an overcoat on top of his uniform at the time of the accident. It was also disclosed that there was no life line at either end of the south mole. The pilot explained that, on account of theft, they' could not" keep them there. A verdict was returned that death was due to drowning as the result of an accident to a boat while negotiating the channel, there being little doubt that the accident was unfortunately due to an error of judgment in the course takpn. The Coroner also commented on lines Being stolen from the mole.