UP TO NAVY!

Grey River Argus, 14 December 1937, Page 5

UP TO NAVY!

AUCKLAND TRAGEDY Coroner’s Addition to Finding [Per Press Association 1. AUCKLAND, December 13. Asked to comment on Captain H. H. Sergeant’s statement on the naval tragedy, Commander S. H. Paton, of H.M.S.'Achilles, said: “It is not for me to make any comment now that the official papers have been forwarded to the Naw Office in Wellington. The Navv Office now has all the facts as disclosed, and it is now un to them. I am not entitled to prejudice what the Navy Office may, or may not. wish to say.” An addition to his finding at the inquest on Thursday last in connection with the naval race tragedy in Auckland was forwarded to the Minister of Justice to-day bv the Coroner (Mr Hunt). It reads: “Since this inquiry closed, the Harbourmaster at Auckland has publicly stated he notified H.M.S. Achilles of this accident ■fflSo&t an hour earlier than the time stated by Lieutenant-Commandfer Lloyd in his evidence before me. I think this should be inquired into, and if the Harbourmaster is correct, an explanation is required for the reason a boa't was not sent earlier to the scene of the accident.”

In a newspapei’ statement published after the inquest, the Harbourmaster (Captain Sergeant) said that he knew as a fact that the first message of the accident received by the Harbour Board from Mrs Partridge, a resident of Karaka Bay, was sent to the Navy at 2.30 p.m., whereas evidence had been given at the inquest that the first message was received by the Navy at 3.30 p.m. “If that earlier message was sent and received,” said the Coroner today, “I should think a boat could have been sent to reach the scene of the capsize almost as soon as Partridge and Tilby got there, and would probably have saved the men in the water. Had I known last Thursday what I learnt subsequently, I would never have concluded the inquest. Of course, by the Coroners’ Amendment Act, if fresh evidence is discovered, the Attorney-General can apply to the Supreme Court to re-open the inquest to hear new evidence.”