Wairarapa Disaster Enquiry.

Opunake Times, Volume I, Issue 42, 23 November 1894, Page 2

Wairarapa Disaster Enquiry.

Dunedin, November 20. After luncheon, James Mills' evidence was taken to the effect that Capt Mcintosh could not possibly have imagined that the Tasmania might overtake him as he knew she was at least two days behind him. He produced books to show that there was no bonus or gratuities for rapid passages. Regulation 39 expressly prohibited raciug steamers. The company's ships always did their best in a prudent manner, and, of course, the company would not discourage that, but it was the engineers who got the credit at all times for good passages, not the captain. The captain was never blamed for exercising proper caution and besides the regulations the necessity for prudence was personally im« pressed upon them. Captain Cameron's evidence was to the effect that he always reported a serious breach of regulations to Mr Mills. He had no means outside the Captain's report of knowing of breaches of regulation,s though he sometimes heard from passengers or other sources, and he then made an enquiry. Both witnesses will be further examined on Thursday. Auckland, November 20.

At the Wairarapa enquiry, Fraser, engine greaser, was recalled and gave evidence as to launching the boats, conduct of officers, and the means taken to save life.

Thos Hendsrson, local manager of the Union Co., gave evidence as to steps taken by the Union Co., to send help to the Barrier. He was satisfied from the statements made to him that there, were no other survivors than those which he had been informed by Captain Johnson, of the Argyle. Mr Moyes, chief officer of the Wairarapa, made a general statement that whilst in the rigging and on the rocks he saw people floating on wreckage. There was nothing to let him understand the facts afterwards stated, that he saw a number of people floating seaward on a raft. He gave corroborative evidence as to no racing instructions to masters to make fast passages, and being rebuked for being behind time. Mr Johnson, third officer, recalled, explained the matter of the piece of paper found. He had written it to fresh his memory, but it would be utterly impossible to prick off oh a chart the course of the ship from the information thereon. This closed Mr Cooper's evidence. Mr Cotter will re-examiue the remaining officers on their own behalf.