TAHITI ENQUIRY

Hokitika Guardian, 13 September 1930, Page 3

TAHITI ENQUIRY

HEARING CONCLUDES. "S ' 1 fßy Telegraph -‘r-Per Press Association ) WELLINGTON,: Sept. .12. ■'« Wlien .the T’yli it i; : inquiry •was*- resumed this •afternoon, \ J). A-.’.Gibhl fifth, enginder,' said tliat'beiw'cen four ;|a.m. and: 4,20 aim., hfd'was in ' ’tin?' 1 ! 'tnnnel. when everything' was alright, tile detailed turning, the power off •bind the stopping of tire l engines. Ho Isaw water:coining through 'the door ijas the scrond engineer' came out ol the tunnel. It' was about • a minute between the time the engines raced and tli© time the door was shut. He took a quick glance and saw 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 was terrific, then engines raced. i Robert-. G! lilies, Assistant) Superin-: ■ fending .Engineer of 'the Union Coy.',tpyoduced..survey records• showing that the vessel, was classed “A.I” in 1928‘T!he \stanboard .tail shaft - was replaced In-1928 land the .stern- shaft-In 1929. The vessel was due for a complete: survey:;! n October, vI9BO. t ► Ms'John Foster, .Marin© .' Superintendent for the Union Coy., .gave' evidence as ito the' vessel’s -y insurance': )t)espite her age of 26 years, the In-: Hiiti’rt plates were' still good, and in advance of Lloyd’s . rcqiirentents- . Mv Kirkcaldie, for the master and deck officers said that the inquiry -was--unique'•through the compete absence of ’any suggestion'of a de-reric-tipfi of duty; which, lie thought the Court shbrild place on record,-togeth-er with -the' fact’ that' all the members of the crew bad "worthily iiphekl the tradition's of the (service.

Mr White, on behalf of tire'Union C'oy,, supported MY Ivirkcaloie’s, rep marks. He said t}mt d tlmnks : .{should-'be accorded the captain, officers and chew • of ; tlie ' ;; 'i’envhryn.'' the .’assist tancc of'"'the' Ventura Cfed "alrekdyIVeoiYirkcb'guisd'd; 5 Mr Page said ' that''the" Court -wim'd take time 1 t\v''consider the -"•evidehce.Ths 'decicuon- would ; probably "-W ' dot' live red next week.