LOSS OF THE TITANIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14984, 4 May 1912, Page 7

LOSS OF THE TITANIC.

THE BRITISH INQUIRY.

OPENED AT WESTMINSTER.

THREE HUNDRED WITNESSES.

By Telegraph.— Awoclation.—Oopyrlgb* London, May 2. The Commission appointed by the Government to inquire into the circumstances of the wreck of the Titanic has opened its sitting at Westminster.

The Crown law officers are representing the Board of Trade; Sir Robert Finlay, K.C., is appearing for the White Star Company; and Mr. T. Scanlan, M.P., for the Sailors' and Firemen's Union. Three hundred witnesses have been summoned to give evidence. The inquiry, which has been set up by the Board of Trade, is being held before Lord Mersey. K.C. (presiding as Wreck Commissioner), and tho following assessors :—Hoar-Admiral Gough Calthorpe, Captain A. W. Clarke, Commander Lyon, and Professor J. H. Biles. ILLNESS OF MR. ISMAY. DUE TO NERVOUS STRAIN. New York, May 2. Mr. J. B. Ismay (managing director of the White Star line) is reported to be suffering from nervous strain induced by the events in connection with the loss of the Titanic. A cablegram published in the Australian papers last week stated that the London Times had declared that the critics of tho conduct of Mr. Ismay in connection with the wrcck would have acted similarly had thoy been in his place. The paper, it is added, deplores anything in the way of a prejudiced inquiry, and prefers to refrain from any expression of opinion with respect to Mr. Ismay and others, pending fuller information. TITANIC'S LATE BANDMASTER. RECOVERY OF THE BODY. Halifax (Nova Scotia), May 2. The body of Mr. Hartley, the Titanic's bandmaster, is amongst those recovered from the scene of the wreck. Mr. Hartley's music case was strapped to his body. SAFETY OF THE SEA. CONFERENCE IN GERMANY. Berlin, May. 2. As a result, of the Titanic disaster a conference of shipping companies and maritime organisations initiated by the Kaiser has been held to discuss the . question of safety appliances at sea. Herr Delbrueck (Minister for the Interior) presided. There were 100 representatives .present. . , i ANOTHER ATLANTIC TRAGEDY. According to a cablegram in the Australian papers, a startling story was told by the officers of the Norwegian steamer Ilomsdel, upon the arrival of that vessel in New York on April 25. They declared that they were certain that on March 26 they witnessed the sinking of a freight steamer about 400 miles to the northward of where the Titanic went down, off the Newfoundland coast.