THE KIA ORA WRECK

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1847, 31 July 1907, Page 61

THE KIA ORA WRECK

X. FINDINGS OF THE COURT. , DE WOLFE’S CONDUCT CONDEMNED. CERTIFICATE FORWARDED TO THE MINISTER. AUCKLAND, July 23. Judgment was delivered to-day by the Court of Inquiry— comprising Mr C. C. Kettle, S.M., and Captains Schofield and. John Grant—which was appointed to. investigate the cncu instances under which the Northern Steamship Company’s steamer Kia Ora was wrecked at Tirau Point, on the west coast., wliidh resulted in tlio loss of three lives, including that of the master of the vessel, Captain Blacklock.. THE CAPTAIN BLAMELESS. Captain. Blaeklock was entirely exonerated, and the certificates of the second officer and of the chief engineer 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 Steamship Company and the chief officer , were ordered to pay the costs of the inquiry. . .. —. In giving the decision Mr Kettle, S.M., announced that it was the unanimous opinion of the Court. The Court stated that the. course set by the captain on leaving Waitara was proper and safe. There was no evidence to justify the Court in finding that the compass was out of order. On tho contrary, the evidence warranted the conclusion that it was in good order and working satisfactorily. The Court was of opinion that the evidence did not justify the conclusion that a current or set would have carried the vessel seven miles out of her course. DE WOLFE.

It was alleged that the chief officer (Da Wolfe) then on the bridge was in a state of intoxication and unlit to have charge of the vessel, and did not carefully watch the compass and the course; that lie was off the bridge for a considerable time: that while he was away the helmsman (Morris) did not keep the. vessel on her course. No allegation was made against the second officer or any of the other seamen. _ De Wolfe admitted that he left the bridge for a few minutes and called the lookout from his post, and ordered him to take charge of the bridge while he was away. In the'Court’s opinion De Wolfe was not justified in leaving the bridge or in taking tho look-out from his post. In doing so he committed a grave breach of duty, and violated two clauses of the company’s instructions to captains and officers. Having Aveighed the evidence, tho Court thought it highly probable that Do Wolfe ay as off the bridge between 10 and midnight—much longer than he was prepared to admit —and that during his absence Morris failed to keep the vessel on tho course set, or that while Do Wolfe was on the bridge he did not keep a vigilant Avatch and see that the vessel kept her proper course. The second officer, who relieved De Wolfe at midnight, stated that during his watch the . course, north-quarter-east, was carefully maintained. The Court had no reason to doubt the accuracy of his testimony. Regarding the charge of drunkenness ma.cie against De Wolfe, the Court Avas of opinion, after having carefully Aveighed the whole of the conflicting evidence, that De Wolfe, Avho admitted having had some liquor at W'aitara before the vessel left, Avas somewhat , intoxicated Avhen he took over, the Avafch from Captain Blacklock at 10 p.m., but that it Avas quite possible Captain Blaeklock did not notice hi 3 condition. DELIBERATE PERJURY.. As to whether De Wolfe drank more liquor aboard the vessel it ay as obvious deliberate perjury had been committed either by Ckvariagh. or by the chief steward, De Wolfe, and Braggstrom. It was difficult to find the truth. All the Court could say Avas that the evidence ay as not sufficiently conclusive S' nd satisfactory to justify it in finding tat Do Wolfe did drink more liquor on the vessel after she sailed. The true causa of the vessel’s deviation from her course had not been demonstrated to the Court’s entire satisfaction, the evidence net being sufficient to justify them in finding that the loss of the vessel Avas caused by the wrongful act or default of De Wolfe. The evidence, hoAveA r er, showed that De Wolfe had been disrated and later dismissed for. drunkenness. The Act provided, that if any certificate officer was, from incompetency or misconduct, unfit to discharge his duties, the Minister might order inquiry in a court of summary jurisdiction, which had power to candel his certificate. After this report the Minister might consider it desirable. to direct such an inquiry. The evh donee disclosed ■ no breach of duty between the Avreck and the landing, but after landing, De Wolfe failed to exhibit proper appreciation of his duty and responsibility as chief officer, in not calling the roll and giving orders

as to the protection and comfort of the passengers. Complaint had been made that the crew occupied the best positions under shelter, but this had not been established. Some passengers complained that Dr Wylie did r.ot give due attention to them, but after the doctor’s evidence the complaints, which were made in the Court’s opinion under a misapprehension, were practically withdrawn. The Court was satisfied that he did everything possible. THE PACKET LICENSE LAW. A number of amendments were suggested in the packet license laAv, the suggestions being that the owner instead of the master should hold tho license, and that no liquor should be supplied to an officer or member of the crew Avitbout an order in writing of the master of the vessel, and that any master or officer of a vessel in a stato of intoxication while engaged in tho performance of his duty shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding £IOO, and imprisonment not exceeding twelve months. Tho Court ordered the costs of the inquiry, about £2OO, to be paid by the Northern Steamship Company and De Wolfe, and forwarded Do Wolfe’s certificate to the Minister of Marine. The certificates of the second officer, Mr Robertson, and chief engineer, Baggstrom, Avere returned. The Court concluded by referring in flattering terms to the relief Avork of the settlers and of the people of Ivavvhia, specially mentioning Constable McCarthy and Mr Holmes.