THE WRECK OF THE KIA ORA.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12849, 6 July 1907, Page 12

THE WRECK OF THE KIA ORA.

# EVIDENCE OF THE ENGINEKK.

(PRESS ASSOCIVTiON Tr.I.EGR.VM.) AUCKLAND, July 5. At the Kin Ora enquiry to-day, n» fwriiiij t-o eialcTi.oni.-. made by the Crown solicitor to the eft'wt that the Ituraiva <iiil nothing for the crew, the ship's representative said he. would produce invoices that the Northern Company epi.-ut il'if'J on provisions for tho j-cople at Ntikiiliaka Bay. Hugh Lioter, second engineer, said that at two o'clock on tin* morning of tho wreck tlio chiiM engineer waa perfectly bolM>r. Kline chi<'l' engineer, ro called, (ioiiied that ho wt-nt to tho saloon, to get any whiskey- Hβ denounced the statement as to himself and do Wolfe leaving the saloon with throo bottles of whiskey as a Ho so absurd, unholy and fiendish that ho could not oxpie.w his unless thov could have a v.hich would be moro to hia liking. -VlihoiiLih a swede !»> lea mod that art in England. trom admitted having t\v .> drinks with Captain Ulackloek at Waitura, but nono ai i tii*. In answer to tho .Magistrate, Mr .Mays said thero was no imputation ajiiuiibt tho captain or the second othi or. iiaggstrom said do AVolfe was in full p(*s«vsaiou of his ten.-c»> and executed all orders, tie took the boat clear oi tiio ship. .Mr Mays: Do members of a ship's crew, and oih'cors as well as passengers, use tho Northern Company's boats as a ba.so for sly gtoy mutiny!-—I don't know anything about ii. Do you know ulu-thcr liqiior is sold from tho sloamer and taken ashorei* — 1 have never seen it done, and don't know of it. J J nve you ever been reprimanded during your service lor insobriety '< — No. How havo you found do Wolfe since you lirst met him:'—Not a teetotaller. Mas de Wolfe ever caused you anxiety when in chargo of tho boat?— No. Havo you ever Been him under tho inlluence of liquorP—No, not as far as that, tie has not had too much when on board that chip to my mind. Can you give us any reason why Cavanagh swore that you and do Wolfe had three bottles filled with whiskey ? — I cannot explain; it is so boyoncl my conception. Mr Mays: Never mind that; is it trno or untrue.?— Untrue. Can you explain why you took the lend and your superior officer obeyed you y—Strength of character, 1 suppose. Mr Kettle: You have stronger will and stronger personality, that's obvious. Mr Mays:.. Havo you heard complaints about steersmen in the Northern Company?— No. Mr Mays stated that the doctor who went up by the Rarawa had telegraphed thnt he wished to give evidence, and ho had asked if Tuesday morning would suit. It was agreed to take his ovideuce on thnt dny. James Robertson, second officer, recalled for examination by Mr Clayton, sti#ed that at nine o'clock, half an hour before sailing, he went into de WolTe's room nnd found him lying asleep in his bunk. He got up. Witness saw nothing out of place in de Wolfe's condition. Mr Kettle: Do you swear that as far as you know he was sober ? —Yes, I can swear it. Was the comfort of the women and children sacrificed in any way for that of the menP—No, I could see nothing to object to. Mr Kettle: Have you ever seen de Wolfe under the influence of liquor?— No. Josephine Kellor, tho stewardess, corroborated the story of tho officers and crew. Questioned regarding Cavanagh's story, she said his wife was well looked after at tho shelter on shore, and wns sitting near the fire at witness's feet.

Asked whether there was anything in the conduct of the crew or passengers that she would pronounce as selfish, witness said: —Yrs, one; that was Mr Cavanagh; Jie never lifted a hand to help, or carried a stick of wood for the fire. She did not hear Cavanagh mnko any complaints. Tho enquiry was adjourned till Monday.