THE ROTORUA AND OROWAITI.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7419, 10 December 1889, Page 3

THE ROTORUA AND OROWAITI.

A preliminary enquiry was held into the circumstances in connection with the col* lision between the Rotorua and Orowaiti, yesterday, at Lytteltou, before Mr A, Rose, Collector of Customs. The enquiry was concluded yesterday afternoon, and the matter has been referred to Wellington to decide whether there should be a Magisterial enquiry or not. Yesterday evening the Rotorua proceeded on her course to Duaedin. Messrs Anderson have been very smart over the work of temporarily repairing the damage done by the collision, and the patch that has ! been put on the vessel's bow is neat and strong. At 2 o'clock on Saturday afternoon the firm promised to have the repairs fixed by 7 p.m. yesterday, and so assiduous have they been that at 4 p.m., or three hours before tha promised time the steamer was ready for sea, the whole time occupied being twencysix hours. The parts of the places that were damaged had to be cleared away so as to allow of a level surface to put on the temporary plate, which was packed with patent insertion. This plate is screwed lon to the ship's side, holes having to be drilled. The top part of the rent has been boarded over, and the whole work has been passed by the Marine Surveyors. We are pleased to state that the Orowaiti is to be left in Lyttelton to allow of the necessary repairs being effected to place her in a seaworthy condition again*