THE IONIC.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 205, 23 May 1908, Page 6

THE IONIC.

AFTER THE FIRE. FROZEN MEAT CARGO DAMAGED. Unloading operations aro being carried out with the utmost dispatch on •the big Shaw, Savill steamer lonic, which narrowly escaped oxtensivo damage by an outbreak of fire in the flax shipment in No. 1 hold. It is impossible, at tho present stage,' to arrive at an accurate estimate of the loss sustained by fire and water. There is still about 20 foot of water in the hold, which is now being rapidly: emptied. It was hoped that the frozen meat cargo in the adjoining hold would have, been undamaged, but inspection yesterday revealed tho fact that about four feet of water had got into tho hold. .Tho meat will have to bo discharged. i^i 0 flax cargo, approximately 1800 bales,. 1400 bales have been sold to Ross and Co., of Foxt-on. . Tho wcol bales havo been sent to Mr. T. F. Bourko, of Eilbirnie, to be> scoured and dressed. The balance of the flax will be reconditioned by the Harbour Board and reshipped by a later steamer: Tho Board of Inquiry constituted., to investigate the circumstances connected, with the outbreak .will commence its sittings at the Magistrate's Court at 10 o'clock this morning. Dr. W. A. M'Arthuris chairman of the Board, and Captain Blackbumo, Nautical Advisor to the Government, and Mr. W. G. Foster,-managing; director of the Wellington Meat Export Co., Ltd., are the assessors. -Mr. Myers will .appear for' tlie Marino Department, and,Mr..Russell,.of the Hansard staff, will tako a-'shorthand'note'of tho proceedings. ' . . ■