THE ELINGAMITE

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1611, 14 January 1903, Page 34

THE ELINGAMITE

AUCKLAND, January 12. Tho inquiry into the loss of tho steamer Elingamite at the Three Kings on the 9th November, which was postponed over the Christmas holidays, was resumed this morning before Mr W. R. Haselden, S.M., and Captains Smith and Waddilove and Mr TVigden, assessors.

Tho addresses of counsel Avere commenced.

Mr A. J. Tole, appearing for the Collector of Customs, in indicating tho points he intended to bring out, submitted that there Avas careless navigation by Captain Atwood up to the time of the Avreck, and that carelessness might be reflected on the officers. No proper look-out Avas kept, tho log was defective, and the reckoning therefore inaccurate, and there Avas neglect to take soundings. Proper precautions were not taken Avhen the circumstances of the position of the steamer were considered. The steamer should have been stopped till her position Avas ascertainable. Secondly, the appliances for life-saving Avere insufficient, and there Avas also disregard of the regulations, the boats Avere inefficiently managed,and the officers and crew were not ready in an emergency. Thirdly, responsibility also rested with the engine-room, and the question was whether on the chief engineer, or on all. There Avas not prompt obedience to the order to reverse the engines. There Avas no reason why the ship should not have gone astern.

Counsel appearing for the captain and engineers expressed dissatisfaction ®at the Grown Prosecutor not traversing the evidence and indicating the portions which he held to implicate individual officers.

Mr Cotter, avlio appeared for the engineers, applied for the dismissal of Mr Scott, third engineer, from the proceedings at this stage, on the ground that there Avas no evidence against him.

The application was declined by the Bench, the Magistrate stating that judgment would be given as a Avhole, when the interest of every officer would ho considered. Mr Campbell, in his address, extolled the courageous conduct of Captain Atwood, and said a review of the CAudence showed no grounds for assuming that there had been any negligent or wrongful act on the part of the captain, whose conduct was, on the contrary, deserving of the highest commendation. Mr Martin, in Tiis address, submitted that the first and second officers did their duty right through. ' They Avere not on duty at the time of the wreck, but came on deck, and assisted Avith' the boats. It had not been shown that the absence of compasses in the boats contributed to the loss of life. Mr Haselden said if the boats had had compasses they could have shaped a course for land, and No. 4 boat Avould, in all probability, have been saved. Mr Martin said no one seemed to knoAv Avhere they Avere, or in Avhat direction the laud lay.

The Court adjourned till to-morrow