THE KIA ORA WRECK.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2140, 24 July 1907, Page 2

THE KIA ORA WRECK.

—OFINDING OF THE COURT.

Press Association. 1 AUCKLAND, Yesterday. | Tlio finding of tho Court of Enquiry into the wreck of the Kia Ora, . was delivered this morning. Captain Blacklock was entirely exonerated. Tlio certificates of .tlio second omcoi and chief engineer wero returned. Tho certificate of tlio clnol officer was forwarded to "Wellington, tile Court finding ho was somewhat intoxicated at tho time ot tlio wreck, but tlio evidence was lnsuflicont to I justify a finding as, to tlio real cause of the disaster. Tho Northern Company and tho chief officer were ordered to pay the costs of tlio en--111 iirgiving his decision in the Kia 1 Ora case, Mr. Kettle, &.M.., announced that is was unanimously the opinion of the Court that the stated course set by tlio captain on leaving I Waitara was a proper and safe one. I There was no evidence to justity the Court finding the compass was out of order. On tho contary, the oviI denco warranted the conclusion that I it was in good order, and working I satisfactorily. The Court was of I opinion tho evidence did not justify I tho conclusion that a current or sot

would have carried the vessel seven miles out of her course. Tlio Court said that it wad alleged that the chief officer, lie Wolfe, then on the bridge, was in a state of intoxication and unfit to have charge of the vessel, and did not carefully watch the compass and course; that lie was oir i the bridge for n- considerable time, that while he was away the helmsman Morris did not keep the vessel on her course. No allegation was made against, the second officer or any of tho other seamen. De VVoolto admitted that he left the bridge for I a few minutes, and called the look- | out man from his post and ordered him to take charge of the bridge I while ho was away. In tli© Court. s I opinion, De Woolfe was not justified in leaving the bridge or in takI ing the lookout from his .post. In I doing so he committed a grave breach of duty, and violated two clauses of the company’s, instructions to captains and officers. Having weighI od tho evidence, the Court thought it highly probable De Woolfe was off I tlio bridge between 10 and midnight I much longer than he was prepared to admit, and that during his absence Mirris failed to keep the vessel on the coruse set, or that while Do Woolfe was on the bridge he did not keep a vigilant watch and see that the vessel’s proper course, north quarter east, was carefully I maintained. The Court had no reaI son to doubt the accuracy of liis tes-

timony. , „ , , Regarding the charge of drunkenness made against De Woolfe, the Court was of opinion, after carefully weighing the conflicting evidence, that De Woolfe admitted having some liquor a-fc Waitara before the vessel left, was somewhat intoxicated when he took over the watch form Captain Blacklock at 10 p.m., but that it was quite possible Captain Blacklock did not notice his condition. As to whether De Woolfe drank more liquor aboard the vessel, it was obivious deliberate perjury had been committed either by Cavanagli of the chief steward, De Woolfe and Baggstrom. It was difficult to find the truth. All tho Court could say was that the evidence was not sufficiently conclusive and satisfactory to justify them in finding that De Woolfe did drink more liquor _on the vessel after she sailed. _ The true cause of the vessel’s deviation from her course had not ben demonstrated to the Court’s entire satisfaction, the evidence not being sufficient to justify them in finding that the loss of the vessel was caused by the wrongful act or default of De Woolfe. Tho evidence, however, showed that De Woolfe had been disrated and later dismissed for drunkenness. The Act provided that if any certificated officer was from incompetenev or misconduct unfit to discharge his duties, tho Minister might order an inquiry iu a court of summary jurisdiction, which had power to cancel his certificate. After the report the Minister might consider it desirable to direct such aii inquiry. The evidence" disclosed no breach lof duty between the time of. the wreck and landing, but after landing De Woolfe . failed to exhibit proper appreciation of the responsibilities as chief officer, in not calling a roll and giving orders as to I the protection and comfort of the I passengers. The complaint that the crew occupied tho best positions under shelter lias been urged, but I this had not been established. Some passengers complained that De Woolfe did not give due attention to them, but after the doctor’s evidence the complaints which were made, in the Court’s opinion, under a misapprehension, were practically withdrawn. The Court was satisfied he did everything possible. A number of amendments were suggested in the packet license law, the principal suggestions being that the owner instead of the master should hold the license, and that uo liquor should be supplied to an officer or crew without an order in writing of the master of the vessel, and that any master or officer of a vessel in a state of intoxication while in (the performance of his duty shall he liable. -to a penalty not exceeding £IOO and imprisonment not exceeding twelve months. The Court ordered costs of the enquiry to bo paid by the Northern Company and Do Woolfe, and forwarded De Woolfe’s certifiate to the Minister of Marine. The certificate of <he second officer Robertson and the chief engineer Baggstrom were returned. Tlio Court concluded by referring in flattering terms to the relief work of the settlers and of the people of Kawhai. Great credit was due to Constable McCarthy and Mr Holmes tor the part they took in assisting the settlers and afterwards searching for tlio bodies of those drowned. The costs of the enquiry total over £2OO.