WAHINE INQUIRY TO BE HELD IN JUNE

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31656, 17 April 1968, Page 22

WAHINE INQUIRY TO BE HELD IN JUNE

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, April 16.

The formal inquiry into the Wahine disaster would begin in Welling-

ton towards the end of June, the Minister of Marine (Mr Scott) said today.

Mr Scott said that he should have a report from the preliminary inquiry—now in progress—by April 26.

It was expected that this would contain a recommendation for a full court of inquiry. This would be open to the public.'

Mr Scott said that about 30 persons connected with the ferry disaster had been interviewed so far.

Mr Scott said the Superintendent of Mercantile Marine and his staff had worked continuously since the disaster, including the Easter period, taking statements from survivors and obtaining reports

and other evidence from a large number of organisations concerned.

“I am most anxious that the preliminary inquiry should be completed at the earliest possible date but I am equally anxious that no stone be left unturned to see that the inquiry covers every aspect of the disaster,” he said. “The loss of the Wahine is one of the most tragic in our maritime history and it is essential that the most thorough preparation be made for a searching public inquiry into the loss of the Wahine and the associated loss of life.”

Mr Scott said that any survivors from the Wahine and

Tody his mother, Mrs Shirley Hick, of Shannon, was discharged from hospital. Gordon’s three-year-old sister, Alma, drowned. Rescuers thought Gordon was dead when they carried him ashore from the lifeboat on Wednesday but a doctor on the beach found that he was still alive and applied heart massage and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on the way to hospital. The police have reduced the number of names appearing on the Wahine passenger list that could not be reconciled with either victims or suvivors to two. They are Mrs B. A. Tait of Napier and Mr V. Hongoe, of Christchurch. Two Stowaways Police said that the Wahine had two known stowaways when she foundered. Both were seamen who had been employed by the Union Company but were not on the Wahine’s crew list One man, from Christchurch. died in the disaster. The other was saved. The Wahine sank with 75 cars, three heavy trade vehicles, 21 trailers and two containers. Included in this cargo were mail, checked baggage, produce, foodstuffs and general cargo. Govt Tribute The Cabinet stood in silence in tribute to the victims of the Wahine disaster this morning.

any persons who assisted with the rescue who considered they could assist in the inquiry should get in touch with a Marine Department office or a police station and leave their names and addresses. Witnesses interviewed include the master of the ship, Captain H. G, Robertson, the officers, some other crew members, passengers and some Wellington Harbour Board officials.

Mr Scott said that he was concerned at some lengthy and detailed statements being made publicly by crew members. "I would not like these to prejudice the inquiry,” he said. Body Of Child The body of a young boy missing since the Wahine disaster was found at Days Bay, Wellington, this morning. He was Philip Stephen Hicks, aged two years, of Titoke Street, Christchurch. The discovery of his body brings the total number of dead to 49. A further two persons are still missing. The search for their bodies is continuing. Baby Very 111 Fifteen-month-old Gordon Hick, whose heart stopped for 20 minutes as he was carried ashore from a lifeboat, is still in a serious condition in Wellington Hospital. The hospital reported tonight that his condition was unchanged. He is the only survivor from the Wahine whose condition remains serious.

After the morning session, the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) told a press conference that the Wahine tragedy and the extensive storm damage throughout the country had occupied most of the Cabinet's time.