Still Confusion About Wahine Death Toll

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31653, 13 April 1968, Page 1

Still Confusion About Wahine Death Toll

Even late last night the full extent of the Wahine disaster was uncertain.

Of the 46 bodies recovered from Wellington Harbour after the sinking of the Wahine on Wednesday, 35, including three crew members, had been identified, the Press Association reported.

There was still some confusion on the number of people aboard when the ship foundered. The officer in charge of the Wellington police district (Chief Superintendent J. W. Saunders) said on Thursday night that on calculations to that stage and with 46 bodies recovered only five or six, persons were still missing. The calculations were based on 605 passengers and 122 crew being aboard. Yesterday, however, there were several deletions from the first list of survivors issued on Thursday afternoon. At least two of those deleted have subsequently appeared on the list of identified dead. 761 Names Last night the police issued a second list of survivors. It contains the 761 names—643 passengers and 118 crew. With the 46 bodies recovered this Would give a total of 807. At a press conference, Superintendent Saunders said errors were gradually being picked up in recounting and rechecking. Some of those named on the latest survivors list could include a number of those who took part in the rescue on Wednesday afternoon. Assumed names, confusion and “some incidence” of stowaways may also have added to the existing confusion. The police also issued a second list of 55 names appearing on the Wahine passenger list which have not been reconciled with names given by survivors. Reports Sought This list included names of people who bought tickets for the ship’s final journey, but who did not travel and possibly some who survived the disaster but who have not Informed the police. Last night the police requested that anyone who bought tickets and did not travel to get in touch with a police station. Police yesterday continued their search of the surround-

ing coastline but no more bodies were found. The search, by a party of about 200 police, a mountain rescue team, and volunteers, will continue for several days. Chief Inspector G. E. Twentyman, officer in charge of the search, said that one of the most important aids in identifying victims of the disaster was the numbered tag attached to car keys. The identified dead were:— Ross James Arthur Adamson, aged 26, of 64 Chapman Street, Maori Hill, Dunedin. Margaret Morrison Beck, aged 64, of 29 Harris Crescent, Papanui, Christchurch. Frederick Burton, aged 66, of 1A Ward Street, Lower Hutt. Bertha Cohen, aged 64, of Darling Point Road, Sydney, Australia. Cecil Noel Doig, aged 74, 613 Duke Street, Hastings. Oswald Colin Duncan, aged 60, of Piarere, Tirau. Margaret Emmett, aged 37, of 136 Vagues Road, Papanui, Christchurch. Jessie Elizabeth Eriwata, aged 65, of Flat 2, 96 Taylor Street, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland. Olive Daisy Evans, aged 66, of 27 Oxford Street, Belmont, Victoria, Australia. Christobel Evelyn Folkard, aged 54, of 43 the Esplanade, Raumati South. Daniel Frank Errol Freitas, aged 60, of 48 Blake Street, Greymouth. Leslie Reginald Goodman, aged 65, of 3 Naylor Street, Sumner, Christchurch. Elmer Hick, aged three, of 48 Vance Street, Shannon. Henry Thomas Hickman, aged 58, of 125 Kermode Street, Ashburton. Maisie Mowat Hill, aged 63, of 52 Weka Street, Fendalton, Christchurch. John Baden Humphrey, aged 67, of 102 Marlowe Street, Dunedin. Mary Agnes Jeffrey, aged 71, of 9 Plymouth Street, Wanganui. Colin Raymond Johnson, aged six, of 11 Lyndhurst Crescent, Christchurch. Elizabeth Mary McKay, aged 71, of 11 Studholme’ Street, Christchurch.

Vida Marshall, aged 64, of 14 Ross Street Mosgiel. Beatrice Ellen McKee, aged 72, of 27 Ngarimu Street Dallington, Christchurch. Annie Beatrice Metealf, aged 52, of Rangitata. Christopher John Morrah, aged 21. 94 Ranui Street Khandailah, Wellington. Rose Ann O’Loughlin, aged 79, of 40 Barnett Avenue, Sydenham, Christchurch. Elizabeth Page, aged 70, of 158 Combridge Street Levin, Wallace Allan Robertson, aged 26, of 152 Ashley Avenue, New Lynn, Auckland.

Alfred Gould Rutland, aged 77 of Manchester Street, Chewton, Victoria, Australia. Laurie Angus Sayers, aged 29, of 9 Lucienne Place, Christchurch. Samuel Stewart Symons, aged 59. of 385 Broadway Avenue, Wellington. Eliza Mary Tabuteau, aged 64, of 137 Seymour Street, Traralgan, Victoria, Australia. Brian Churchill Townend, aged 53, of Hick Road. Cambridge. Ethel May Turner, aged 60, of Hastings. Truby Lionel Turner, aged 48, of Hastings. Robin Lester Udell, aged 17, of 5 Kinsey Terrace, Sumner, Christchurch. Hong Yue Yee, aged 80, of 40 Croydon Street, Christchurch.