THE TAKAPUNA ENQUIRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXI, Issue 7224, 25 April 1884, Page 5

THE TAKAPUNA ENQUIRY.

[Pe« Press Association.] DUNEDIN, April 24. Tho Takapuna enquiry has been commenced before Mr Carew, with Captains Thomson and Scott, as Nautical Assessors. Captain Jones, in the course of his evidence, said that on Nov. 22, lie left Manukan for New Plymouth, arriving at the latter place at midnight. Previous to this trip the vessel never touched. Left New Plymouth an hour after arrival. Was on the bridge when they left, and remained there half-an-hour. It was a clear moonlight night, and they were going thirteen knots. Tho second mate was in charge when he left tho bridge. 'They were then three miles from land, and he gave verbal orders as to the course. Told the second mate to keep south-east three-quarter south, and in no case to go nearer land than two miles. A quarter of an hour after going below was aroused by the rattle of the wheel going over. Went on deck and found the wheel hard over, and the ship about a mile and a half from land. They were then a little to the southward of the Egmont light. Kept the ship out, and resumed her former coarse. Shortly afterwards the second mate told him that he thought she had touched ; hut witness did not feel anything. Had no conversation with anyone else on board about the vessel striking. No special order about the pumps was made on this occasion. Did not make more than the usual quantity of water, nor was her speed slackened. The damage found when she was docked he believed to have been sustained at Manukau, as she grounded on a bed of scoria rock on Jan. 30 in trying to leave the wharf. Did not report it, because he did not think any damage had been done. Charles Hudson, purser on the Manapouri, stated : I was employed on the Takapuna in November last. On the night in question I slept in one of the state rooms. I felt no shock of the vessel stinking, and knew of nothing to indicate that she had struck. To Mr Hackworth : None of the passengers said anything to me about the vessel having struck. I heard rumours about her having struck. It was reported about the ship in the morning that one of the passengers said she had struck. The enquiry was adjourned till Tuesday, after hearing three witnesses.