THE WELLINGTON YACHT FATALITY

Evening Star, Issue 12397, 10 January 1905, Page 2

THE WELLINGTON YACHT FATALITY

At the inquest concerning the death of young Hobday, one of the victims in the Te Aroha fatality at Wellington Heads on the 2nd inst., Captain Post, in charge of the Government steamer Tutanekai, stated that the Marine Department a few years ago framed regulations covering yachts and also boats plying for hire. These regulations did not meet with the approval of the harbor boards and yachting" clubs, and were consequently never given effect to. Under the present law the department had no control over yachts unless they were reported as being unsafe or nnseaworthy.' If a sufficiently large steamer had been sent from Wellington on receipt of the message concerning the disaster last Monday she would probably have reached the spot in time to save some of the men. There was no hope of the yacht getting out again with safety from tho position she was in when first seen from the lighthouse. Her only hope was to come into the harbor or go ashore. The jury returned the following verdict:—"That deceased was drowned by a boating accident at Wellington Heads with two others, and that such death was; by misadventure and without blame to anyone," As an outcome of last week's yacht fatality a public meeting was held at Wellington last evening to consider the question of establishing a lifeboat service at or near Wellington Heads. There was a great crowd m attendance. The mayor presided. Sir J. G. Ward made a short speech. It was stated during the evening that the purchase of a boat would cost £l,lOO, and that the Government would provide aboathouso. The meeting passed the following resolution:—"That the meeting, having heard an expression of ideas concerning the establishment of a lifeboat in or near Wellington Harbor, are of opinion that steps should be taken as soon as possible to secure such lifeboat and station for the benefit of those in peril on sea." Subsequently the question of tho .manner in which'the entrance to the harbor is lighted was brought forward, and the installation of low lights under Pencarrow Head was advocated. A motion was carried urging the necessity of a better light for the .guidance of shipmasters.