DUCHESS-COBAR COLLISION

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LVII, Issue LVII, 11 April 1910, Page 7

DUCHESS-COBAR COLLISION

MAGISTERIAL WgOTRY.

tPRRHB ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, April 11. The Magisterial enquiry into 1 the collision between the -Harbor Perry steamers Duchess and Cobar on the night of March 30 opened to-day before Mr "Haselden, S.M., and Captains E. Stott .and W. J. Carey, assessors. Captain W. Jones, of the Duchess, gave evidence-that he left Day's Bay at ;6 o'clock. After he passed Point Jerningham buoy he saw the Cobar coming straight on, and thought she was bringing him a message. When the Cobar was about four lengths away she gave two short blasts of the whistle, but •.witness did not make any signal to her. He had altered his course just before, in order to be in line with the south end of Queen's Wharf. After he saw the Cobar he did not alter Ms course, because he did not think the Cobar was going to run into the Duchess. The 'Cobar could see the Duchess' starboard light clearly. He did not speak to the captain of the Cobar after the colhsioto, but kept on his course. He did not stop because he saw tbe Cobar going on, and thought she was all right. About three years ago the Ferries Company suspended him, but he did not know what for. He was not under the influence of liquor when the collision