TAHITI INQUIRY

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 September 1930, Page 7

TAHITI INQUIRY

THE EVIDENCE COMPLETED. [PEB PBESB ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, September 12. When the' Tahiti inquiry was rei sumed this afternoon, D. A. Gibb, fifth engineer, said that between four a.m. and 4.20 a.m., he was in the tunnel; when everything was all right. He detailed turning the power off and the stopping of the engines. He saw water coming through the door as ~ the second- engineer came out of the tunnel. It was about a minute between the time the engines raced and the time the door was shut. He took a quick glance and saw the water coming from the bottom and sides of the door. The watertight door seemed to close perfectly, and worked quickly. Other evidence of a technical nature was given by members of the engineroom and stokehold staffs. All agreed that the noise wks terrific and . that the engines raced. , Robert Gillies, Assistant Superintending Engineer of the Union Coy.,' produced- survey records showing that the vessel was, classed “A.l” in 1928. ' The starboard tail shaft was replaced in 1928 and the stern shaft in 1929. The vessel was due for a complete survey in October, 1930. John Fostep, Marine Superintendent for the Union Coy., gave evidence as to the vessel’s insurance. Despite her age of 26 years, the Tahiti’s plates wdre still good, and lin advance of Lloyd’s requirements. Mr Kirkcaldie, for the master and

deck officers said that the inquiry

■was unique through the complete ab- • scence of any suggestion of a dereliction of duty, which, z he thought the Court should place on record, together with the fact that all the members of the crew had worthily upheld the traditions of the service. - Mr White, on behalf of the, Union, Coy supported Mr Kirkcaldie’s remark Herald that thanks should be accorded the captain, officers and crew of the Penybryn. The assistance of the Venturd had already been recognised. Mr Page said that the Court Would take time to consider the evidence. Its decision would probably be delivered next week.