THE KIA ORA WRECK.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 167, 24 July 1907, Page 5

THE KIA ORA WRECK.

The Court's Finding. Press Association. Aucklnp, July 23. Tho finding of the Court of Inquiry into the wreck of the Kia Ora was delivered this morning. Captain Blacklock was entirely exonerated, and the certificates of the second officer and the chief engineßr were returned. The certificate of the Chief Officer was forwarded to Wellington, the Court finding that he was somewhat intoxicated at the time of the wreck, but that the evidence was not sufficient to justify a finding as to the real cause of the disaster. The Northern Company and the Chief Officer were ordered to pay the costs of the inquiry. The decision in the Kia Ora enquiry was the unanimous opinion of the Court. It stated that there was no evidence to justify finding that the compass was out of order. On the contrary; the evidence, in their opinion, warranted the conclusion that it was in good order. The evidence did not justify the conclusion that a current or set would have carried the vessel seven miles out of her course. No allegation was made against the second officer or any of the seamen. De Wolfe admitted that he left the bridge for a few minutes and called the look-out from hib post and ordered him to take charge of the bridge While he was away. In the Court's opinion Dβ Wolfe was not justified in leaving the bridge or in taking the look-out from his post. In doing so he committed a grave breach of duty. The Court thought it highly probable that De Wolfe was off the bridge between 10 p.m. and midnight, much longer than he was prepared to admit, and that during his absence Morris failed to keep the vessel on the course srit; that while De Wolfe was on the bridge he did not keep vigilant watch and see that the vessel was kept on her proper course. The second officer, who relieved De Wolfe at midnight, stated that during his watch the course of north quarter east was carefully maintained. The Court had no reason to doubt the accuracy of his testimony. The Court was of opinion, . after having carefully weighed the conflicting evidence, that De Wolfe was somewhfct intoxicated when he took over the watch from Capt. Blacklock at 10 p.m., and it was difficult to find the truth. All the Court could say was that the eyidence was not sufficiently conclusive and satisfactory to justify them finding that Dβ Wolfe did drink more liquor on the vessel after she sailed. The true cause of the vessel'e deviation from her course was not demonstrated to the Court's entire satisfaction, the evidence not being sufficient to justify them in finding that the loss of the vessel was caused by the wrongful act or default of De Wolfe. The evidence, however, showed that De Wolfe had been disrated and later dismissed for drunkenness. The Act provided that if any certificated officer was, from incompefcency or misconduct, unfit to discharge his duties the Minister might order enquiry in a court of summary jurisdiction, which had power to oancel his certificate. After the report the Minister might consider it desirable to direct such an enquiry. The complaint that jfcKf , crew occupied the best positions under shelter had not been established* Some passengers complained that Dr. Wylie did not give due attention to them, but after the doctor's eyidence the complaints made, in the Court's opinion, under a misapprehension, were practically withdrawn. The Court was satisfied that he did everything possible. The Court ordered the costs of enquiry to be paid Jjy the-North-; era Company and De Wolfe, and forwarded De Wolfe's certificate to the Minister for Marine. The certificates of the second officer, Robertson, and Chief Engineer, Baggstrom, were rsturned. , The Court wished to express the highest appreciation of the services rendered by settlere, and hoped that their services would be suitably recognised and rewarded. Great orediti was due to Constable McCarthy and Mr holmes for the: part they' took in aseistinp the settlers and afterwards in searching for the bodies of the drowned. . ; The costs of the enquiry total over .£2OO. •