THE KIA ORA WRECK

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6269, 24 July 1907, Page 5

THE KIA ORA WRECK

FINDINGS OF THE COURT. DB WOLFFS CONDUCT CONDEMNED. CERTIFICATE FORWARDED TO THE MINISTER. rEESS ASSOCIATION. aUCjiJCAND, July 23. Judgment was delivered to-day bj tho court of inquiry—comprising -nr C. C. Jxeitlo,- S.ai., and Captains ochofiold and JcJm Grant —which was appointed to investigate the circumstances under which the Northern Steamshin Company's steamer ivia Ura was wrecked at Tirau Point, on the west coast, which resulted in the loos of three in es, uiduaiug that of the master of the vessel, Isaptain ii.ac-n----lock. THE CAPTAIN BLAMELESS.

Captain Blacklock was entirely exonerated, and tho oortilicates of the second oiiicer and of the chief' engineer were returned. The oortilicato or the chief omcer was forwarded to V. eilington, the Court linding that he was someivnat intoxicated at tlie time or the wreck, but that the evidence was not sumciont to justify a trading ail to tho 'real cause of the disaster. , Tho Northern; bteamship Company and the chief oiiiccr were ordered to pay the costs of the inquiry. In giving tao decision Mr Kettle, S.M., announced that it was the unanimous opinion of the Court, the Lean stated that the course sot by the captain on -leaving. V\ aitara was proper and safe. There was no evidence to justify tho Court in linding that the compass was out of order. Un the contrary, the evidence warranted the conclusion that it was in good order and working satisfactorily. ’ die Court was pf opiUi-on that the evidence did not jus my the conclusion that a current or set would liavo carried tho vessel seven miles out of her course.- • DE WOLFE.

It was alleged that tho chief officer (l>a Wolfs) then on tho bridge w'as in a state of intoxication and unfit to have chargo of tho vessel, and did not care, fully watch the compass and tho course; that ho w'as off, tho bridge for a con. sidprablo time: that while ho "'as away tho helmsman (Morris) did not keep tho vessel on her course. No allegation was made against the second officer or any of tho other seamen. ‘Do 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 ho was array. In the Court's opinion Do Wolfe was not justified in leaving the bridge or in taking the look-out from his post. ‘ In doing so ho committed a gravo broach of duty, and violated two clauses of tho company s instructions to captains and officers. Having weighed tho: evidence, the Court thought it highly probable that Do Woifo was oil tho bridge between 10 and midnightffiuch longer than he was prepared to admit—and that during Ids absence Morris failed to lie up tho vessel on the course set, or that while De Wolfe was on the bridge he did not keep a vigilant watch and see that the vessel kept her proper course. Ihe second ou.oar, who relieved ue \\ olio' at midnight, stated that during his •; watch tho course, north-quarter-east, was carefully juaiutaiued. the Court had no reason to doubt the accuracy of. his testimony. .'ltegarding . the charge 'ot drunkenness made against De . Vv olfe, the ■•Court was of opinion, after having carefully weighed the whole of the .conflicting ovidenoo, that De Wolfe,' who admitted having had some liquor at Wnitara, before tho vessel left, was somewhat intoxicated when be took over tho watch from Captain Blacklook at, 10 : p.m., but that it was quite possible Captain. Biacklook did not mv tide Ins condition. . .DKLIBKxiATn PERJURY.

As to whether Bo Wolfe drank more liquor aboard the vessel it ;was obvious deliberate perjury had been committed either by Cavaaiagh or by tho clxiei steward, Be: Vi oire, and Braggstrom* nt was dihioult to find the truth. All the C6urt could say was tlpit the evidence was not suuiciently conclusive and satisfactoiy to justify it in finding Chat Be V\ oii'6 Uid urink more liquor 01. the. vessel alter she sailed. The true oausa of the ve,-sel‘s deviation from her course ha-d not been demonstrated to the Court's entire satisfaction, tlie cvi. donee not being' sufficient to justify them in finding .hat the loss of-tho vessel was oau-nxi by the wrongful act or dcfau.t of B® Yv oife. The evidence,however, showed that Bo Wolfe had been disrated and later dismissed for drunkenness. ’The Act provided that if any certificate officer .was, from rnoom-pet-ency or, misconduct, ■ unfit to discharge his duties, The Minister might order inquiry in a court" of summary jurisdiction, which had power to cancel his certificate. After this report tho Minister might consider, it desirable tp -direct,snob an inquiry.’ The evidence disclosed ,no broach of duty between tile wreck and the landing, but after landing, Bo Wolfo failed to'exhibit proper appreciation of his duty and responsibility as chief officer, in not calling the rolPand giving orders as’ to the protection and comfort, of tho passengers. Complaint had been made, that the crow occupied the best positions .under shelter, but this had not been established. Some passengers complained that Dr Wylie did not give due attentioh to them, but after the doctor’s evidence the complaints, which were made in the Court’s opinion under a misapprehension, were practically withdra Wn. The Court , was satisfice! that he did everything possible. THiE PACKET LICENSE LAW. A number of amendments were suggested’in the packet license law, the principal suggestions being that the owner instead of tho master should hold tho license,! and that no liquor should be supplies! to an officer or member of the crew Without an order in writing of iho master of the .vessel, and that any n-.v-ter or officer, of a vessel in a Wato of intoxication while engaged in the performance of liis duty shall be Uablo to a penalty not exceeding £IOO, and imprisonment not exceeding twelve months.

The Court ordered the costs of the inquiry, about £2OO, to he paid by the Northern Steamshin Company and D? Wolfe, and forwarded Do Wolfe’s certificate to the Minister of Marine. The certificates of the second officer, Mr Robertson, and chief engineer, Baggstrom, wore returned.

Tho Court concluded by referring in flattering terms to the relief work of tho_ settlors and of the people" of Kawhia, specially mentioning Constable McCarthy and Mr Holmes.