THIS WAIRARAPA DISASTER.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXXXII, Issue 10511, 23 November 1894, Page 5

THIS WAIRARAPA DISASTER.

FPbb Peeks Association.! AUCKLAND, Nov. 22. The s.s. Ngunguru is expected to return to Auckland to-night from Great Barrier, and the result of the salvage operations at the wreck will then be known. Bad weather has interfered considerably with the work of dismantling the vessel, which still remains in the same position on the ledge of rock. Two anchors, a considerable quantity of chain, &c., have been recovered, also a small quantity of cargo. It is not expected that very much can be recovered frem the wreck, owing to its peculiar position. An attempt to get at the plate chest failed. The Court of Inquiry into the wreck, consisting of Mr Nortbcrofb, S.M., and Captains Clayton and Andrews, will go down to the scene of the wreck at Great Barrier to-morrow evening by the s.s. Ohinemuri. Mr Johnston, third officer, will accompany the Bench. Mr J. Barber, honorary secretary of the Relief Committee, denies that anything but the utmost consideration has been shown to the survivors. Every care has been taken to relieve deserving cases. The wreck, in fact, left some of them better off than they were before. Both cash and clothes have been supplied to surviving passengers and crew who needed them, while hotel bills have also been paid. Up to the present relief has been extended to thirty-three passengers (mostly steerage) and fourteen of the crew, who, in addition to getting clothing got a few pounds in cash. Passengers have received £192 15s 6d out of the fund and crew £24 14s 7d, while in addition £3O has been given to three widows in Auckland. This, vifch hotel hills of £3O makes a total of £247 8a Id spent so far. The relief fund is about £IOOO at present, and careful inquiry is made in each case, and the money is being allocated with due respect to the necessities of the sufferers. Mr Barber denies that there has been any niggardliness in dispensing relief; the contrary has been the case. DUNEDIN, Nov. 22.

Mr James Mills, managing director of the Union Company, was further examined in connection with the Wairarapa wreck. He produced reports of the master of the Wakabipu—ten for 1891 and three for 1892; also five which contain mention of fog, also one relating to the occasion when the Wairarapa anchored twice off Banks Peninsula. None of the reports contain mention of what was done in consequence of the fog. The caution displayed by Captain M'lntosh in twice anchoring off Banks Peninsula was severely criticised by some of the passengers, including members of Parliament. In August last one of the company’s vessels got close to the land in thick, squally weather off Cape Brett. An inquiry was held, and the captain reprimanded by resolution of the directors. Captain M’lnfcosh recently suffered from influenza, and he had been at the Lakes. The captain reported himself quite well. Witness had a decided opinion that the anxieties of the previous twenty-four hours had dulled Captain M’lntosh's Judgment. He did not think that he gave a thought to the Wairarapa beating the Tasmania. If she had arrived later than the Tasmania he did not think he would have troubled his head. Had she made a record passage he did not think he would have taken notice; he certainly would not have recommended a bonus of .£2O to the captain and engineer. If he had taken any notice it would probably have been to make inquiry as to the extra consumption of coal. The Msraroa was the only boat they looked to for smart passages. He had no doubt that all the captains would give evidence that they were not blamed if they did not arrive to time.

The Mayor desires to acknowledge the following sums in aid of the Wairarapa Belief Fund : Already acknowledged, £331 13s 6d; collection at Presbyterian Church, Hanmer Plains, 2s 8d; Mr Cecil Louisson, 10a fid; clerks in Christchurch Post Office, .£3 12s; £2; Master Bakers' Association, £5 ss. Total, £344 8s Bd.