JOYITA INQUIRY TO OPEN NEXT MONTH

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27875, 25 January 1956, Page 13

JOYITA INQUIRY TO OPEN NEXT MONTH

(Rec. 10 p.m.) APIA, January 23. The appointment of Captain A. H. Prosser, of Auckland, as a member of the commission of inquiry into the mystery of the islands launch Joyita is expected to be announced soon. A former Union Steam Ship Company master with experience in island waters, Captain Prosser will replace Captain J. Forbes, of Auckland, who has withdrawn from the commission, which is expected to begin in February to investigate the circumstances surrounding the disaster which befell the 70-ton vessel Joyita and caused the loss of the 25 passengers and crew on board.

The other two commissioners are the Chief Judge of Western Samoa (Mr C. C. Marsack) as chairman, and Mr C. G. R. McKay, a former New Zealand Secretary of Island Territories, whose duties included the administration of the Tokelau islands, for which the Joyita was bound on her last trip. The commission was charged by the High Commissioner of Western Samoa (Mr G. R. Powles) to inquire into:

The cause of the casualty. Whether before the casualty or before her departure from Apia, all necessary and reasonable steps were taken for the safety of the vessel. Whether all necessary and reasonable steps for the rescue of the crew and passengers werq taken when the vessel was reported overdue.

Generally inquire into and report upon “such other matters coming to your notice in the course of your inquiries as you consider should be investigated in connexion therewith and report upon any matters affecting premises which you consider should be brought to the attention of the Government.”

Preparations for the commission have begun at Apia with the arrival of the secretary and assisting counsel. They are two New Zealanders, Mr R. K. Davison, of Auckland, who will be counsel, and Mr B. L. Bridger, of the legal section of the Department of Justice, who will be secretary. On their way to Apia they talked with Fiji experts who will fly to Apia to give evidence before the commission. They also examined the Joyita at Suva dock and arranged for the shipment to Apia of a life raft found in the northern Fiji group and believed to belong to the Joyita. Twenty-five Witnesses

Messrs Davison and Bridger said they expect the inquiry to last about a fortnight, during which about 25 witnesses will be heard. Nine witnesses from Fiji include marine experts, Royal New Zealand Air Force officers, a meteorological officer, and Mr Bob Sutherland, former engineer on the Joyita. The Chief Marine Surveyor (Mr V. G. Boiven) will come from New Zealand to report on an examination he made of the Joyita while it was on the slip at Suva. Mr Kurt von Reiche, managing director of E. A. Coxon and Company, an Apia firm which chartered the Joyita for the trip to the Tokelaus, has been asked to return from New Zealand in time for the inquiry. Mr von Reiche and his wife, who helped the Joyita* cast off in Apia harbour, were the last persons to talk with Captain T. H. Miller and the 24 others aboard the vessel.

The commission will also be presented with a written report prepared by the Coast Guard aathorities in Honolulu, the port at which the Joyita was registered and where she had her last full survey in April, 1954. The report covers the history of the Joyita and her registration as well as other information given by the owner. Katharine Luomala, a professor of anthropology at Honolulu. After an address by Mr Davison summarising the evidence, the commission will hear evidence on the history of the Joyita, the negotiations for its charter, the loading of the vessel and its condition before its departure for the Tokelaus. Captain E. L. James, of Suva, is expected to be a prominent witness when he gives evidence about the discovery of the waterlogged Joyita north of Fiji, its salvage, and its subsequent examination. In addition to Mr Davison as counsel assisting the commission, Mr W. V Wilson, the Attorney-General, will represent the Government of Western Samoa, and three private solicitors, Messrs G. T. Jackson, R. Metcalfe, and R. P. Phillips, will represent various interests.