THE LOSS OF THE KAKANUI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8535, 8 April 1891, Page 5

THE LOSS OF THE KAKANUI.

OFFICIAL INQUIRY. [BY TELEGRAPH. — ASSOCIATION. Ditnedin, Tuesday. The Kakanui inquiry was opened before Mr. Carew, R.M., with Captain Orkney as nautical assessor. Mr. Haggitt conducted on behalf of tho Customs. Sir Robert Stout represents the vessel's owners, Mr. Hanlan the relatives of Captain Best, and Mr. Fraser the relatives of the shore party. Mr. Carew said the scope of the inquiry was to ascertain if there are any circumstances under which the Kakanui should not have proceeded to sea when last heard of, and all matters going to explain her loss. Mr. Haggitt asked whether it was their Worship's intention to limit the inquiry to that? His instructions were to make the inquiry as full and complete as possible. Mr. Carew said to go beyond his instructions would require a royal commission. He had no wish, however, to restrict the inquiryMr. Haggitt said it would be necessary to inquire into the condition of affairs on the island.

Keith Ramsay, owner, gave evidence as to the outfit and general fitness of the steamer, and to the Government chartering her for a trip to the Macquarries. He concluded from what he had heard that she had not burnt more than '20 tons of coal going down, so that she would have sixteen days full supply when she had started on her return. Captain Best had commanded her on former occasions. when sending down the steamer for oil, and it did not occur to him or the witness that there was the slightest risk. Christian Hanson, who had been mate of the Kakanui some time ago, said she was a good sea boat in his opinion, better than the Invercargill, and he would have gone anywhere in her. She behaved well under canvas.' J. 'Morgan said he valued the Kakanui for the Insurance Company at £2500. She was well found, and in good repair. R. S. Sparrow and Joseph Sparrow, who had built the steamer, stated she had four watertight bulkheads, making five compartments. She was a strong substantial vessel. Alexander Crawford, engineer surveyor, said at the last survey in Juno she was thoroughly overhauled, and she always had a good name as a sea boat. He would not have given her a foreign certificate for all the year round. He had no objection to giving a declaration to enable her to get a certificate for a casual voyage. Captain Thomson, Lloyd's surveyor, said he had seen the Kakanui in a pretty heavy sea, crossing the bar at Molyneaux, when she behaved very well. He was consulted about her being insured on her voyage to the Macquarries, and had advised that an extra premium be charged on account of top hamper. By that he meant her deckhouse, which might be carried away by a very heavy sea breaking 011 board, in which case the water might get below. He did not say in sufficient quantities to sink the vessel, but it was an extra hazard from an ' underwriter's point of view. She was fit to face any water when in proper trim. He did not object to the vessel going. Ho knew she was in good hands, and fully equipped. He did not consider there was danger to human life, and was thinking only of damage to the vessel. Keith Ramsay, re-called, said the underwriters did not charge extra premium. A. B. Campbell, agent for the Kakanui at Invercargill, said he had a conversation with Captain Best about some letters in the press, when Best said it was time enough for the public to cry out when either he or his crew complained. Witness had spoken to almost every member of the crew, and not one made any objection or expressed any dislike to the voyage. Mr. Hatch was desirous of going by the Kakanui, and he thought that the refusal of the Government to allow passengers to be carried was the only reason why he did not go. The Kakanui took provisions to last five or six weeks, including"the men on the island if they came back.

C. W. 8. Chamberlain, Collector of Customs, gave evidence as to engaging the Kakaimi. He asked D. Mills, of the Union Company, if lie would tender, but he said that he had no boat. He said if the matter were urgent he would find a boat, but would expect £501), and when informed the Kakanui had been offered for £150 lie expressed himself pleased. Captain Eckhoft asked repeatedly to be sent as the Government officer; but he declined, as lie did not think Captain Eckhoff was the man to go, as he was the man who raised all the trouble. The Marine Department refused to allow the Kakanui to bring back oil or take passengers. _ Witness had made an independent inquiry as to the state of the snore party, and the result was generally to confirm Captain Eckhoff's statement. Thomas Smith, engineer, near Invercargill, had replied to the query re stores on the island by telegram as follows :—" A fortnight's stores for three men, and very bad at that." H. C. Mellish, manager for Hatch at the Macquarries, said they were not badly off for provisions. When the men left in the Kakanui there were four barrels of biscuits and half barrel of flour. There was no meat, but they had penguins' eggs; rabbits, Maori hen, and elephants' tongues. There were plenty of rabbits, which were fatter and larger than those in Southland. There were also wild ducks, and powder and shot to shoot them with. There was plenty of food on the island at all times if people's stomachs are not too delicate to take it. The principal things short for which men sighed were tea, sugar, coffee, and meat. The Kakanui reached the Macquarries on the 3rd January. The captain and two men tried to land in a dingy, but could not, and the whaleboat was landed, Mr. Stewart and four of the crew landing. Witness's wife said she would not go back in the Kakanui, as she did not like the look of her, being too deep. Mr. Stewart said he would take the men if they wished, and all went on board. Witness read and explained Hatch's letter to 'them, and some of them said, " Oh, Hatch is bound to make some excuse; we won't trust him, but we'll trust the Government." The i vessel only stayed about an hour and a-half altogether. Witness read a rather lengthy letter from Hatch, and described the storm which occurred. He had advised Captain Best to go away, or he would not get away at all. The wind changed to the westward, and blew stronger than he had known it for sixteen years. The Kakanui would then be about 100 to 150 miles from the island. The wind was so strong that it Mew over a house which had stood many gales, and stones as large as marbles were lifted into the air by the force of the wind. Mrs. Mellish also gave evidence, and the inquiry was adjourned till to-morrow.