WRECK OF THE TARARUA.

Otago Witness, Issue 1541, 21 May 1881, Page 10

WRECK OF THE TARARUA.

OFFICIAL INQUIRY.

The official inquiry into the circumstances of the wreck of the Tararua was resumed at the Resident Ma"istiate's Courthouse at 10 a.m. on the 12th, before Mr W. L. Simpson, R.M., with Captain Thomson (harbourmaster) and Captain M'Gowan (master of the ship Bcnvenue), nautical assessors.

Mr Denniston appeared for ihe Crown, Mr Smith on behalf of the first and second mates of the vessel, and Mr F. R. Chapman for the representatives of the lato Captain Garrard. The following evidence was taken :— Th ma- Dickson deposed : I am an able seaman, and was in the employment of the Union Steam Ship Company on the 28th of April, on the Tararua. I had been in the Company's employment two months and 20 days. During all that time I was on board the Tararua. I shipped from Ilobart. On the last voyage from Poit Chalmers I took the wheel a little after (i o'clock, and remained at the helm till 8. I had no course given me, and was steering by captain's orders. Just before I went below at 8, tho captain came aft and said to me, " Keep her as she goes (that was S.W. by S.) ; nothing to the westward." I gave the man who relieved me— James Burnett— the same instructions. The next time I came on deck was at 12, and I was on the look-out from 2to 4. When J came on deck at 12 I never noticed the land. At 2 I noticed the sea was rolling heavily from between S. and S.E. I do not remember noticing the Nugget li"-ht. It was clear overhead, but there was a mist over the horizon. I went belcw at 4, and was aroused by hearing the ship scraping on the reef. She struck on something very heavily. When I went on deck the order was given to clear away the boats, and I assisted to do so. 1 was one of the four ordered into the carpenter's boat by the captain. We went to see if a landing was practicable. We went to the reef. We got pretty close to it. It would be at least three-quarters of a mile from the ship and close to the shore. It was a little one, running out from the shore on the port bow. We thought by its means we would be able to get on shore. The sea was breaking over it. We went back to the ship, and the captain asked the carpenter if they could land there. The carpenter at first replied he thought so, and then said he thought they would have to swim for it. I sang out I thought we could land. We had come round the bow of the vessel, and lav off on the starboard side. We lay out about half a ship's length, but I am not quite sure about the distance. The calmest water was on the starboard side. The carpenter and Horan, one of the boat's crew, were ordered out of the boat, and the first mate and Frank Denz were put in in their stead. Three passengers and the ship's boy were also put in. Orders were given to make the reef and land. We went towards the reef and found the sea breaking over it. We could not land. We pulled out from the reef in an easterly direction, to what we considered a smooth place, and got orders to stern the boat in. That was done. While we were sterning her in a sea came in and chucked her about a good deal, and while we were trying to hold her up to the sea the sea seemed to curl and cause her to cant over. The sea rushed into her over the port side. The mate sang out to jump from the boat. I did so, and got ashore. I could not say how far out we were exactly, but I should say 60 or 80 yards. I saw a seaman sounding by the mate's orders with an oar before we were swamped. I cannot tell what the depth of water was. After getting on shore I pulled off my trousers and tried to ?et hold of the boat, but it was too far out. The boat was a lifeboat, but was sharp at both , ends. The boat wont out on to the break, but afterwards came ashore. She was broken. I had to swim ashore. The ship's boy got round my neck. He put me under four times, and I believe the "boat struck him. I think it would be about 10 o'clock at this time. Our object in going near the shore was not to beach the boat, but to get the passengers in as far as we could get them. I cannot say that we had reached the broken water when the boat got swamped. The wave that swamped us broke round us. We were just outside the foreyard - arm when we took the chief officer on board. After we got on shore the sea rose very fast—so much so that it was impossible to take our boat out again, even if she not been stovo in. Had we got out she would not have been able to get near the s>hip. She could not have lain with safety between the ship and the shore, because there was a cross break which made a regular boil. We could not have safely landed passengers. The boat could not have lived after 10 to save passengers. The sea seemed to rise as the tide made. I stayed on tho beach all day in case anyone came on shore. A man swam into the break, but when he reached the shore he was dead. The sea was bigger than at 10. Before I left the ship they tried to get a line ashore with a lifebuoy. The attempt was un«uccessful. The line fouled at the bottom before it got far. There were lines on shore, but none came near enough to use them. The sea continued rough all day. I left the beach as it was getting dark, and came back afterwards. I could then hear the sea breaking very heavily. I did not notice when the tide turned. The sea did not seem to get any lower during all this time. About 20 minutes to 3 the following morning I heard a voice which seemed to be the captain's. The voice called out, " Bring a boat," in a manner which seemed to portend extreme agony. The break seemed to be the thing that drowned those who tried to swim ashore. A boat could certainly not have lived in it. I could see the mastheads from shore the first day. A man at the masthead would have been able to see the state of the break. I saw the second mate's boat lying off. She came in and out. , , Mr Simpson : Have you formed any opinion as regards whether a steamer could at any time have got inside the reef ? Witness : Ido not think one could. Why do you think so ?— On account of the heavy swell.

After what time ?— Half-past 10. To Mr Smith : There was a portion of the sea near shore always breaking. Outside of that the sea broke occasionally. To Captain Thomson : After the boat filled, Ido not think it was possible to take her out again. Ido not think she had corks. Edward Johnson : lam an able seaman, and was on board the Tararua on its last voyage. I was on the lookout from 6to 8 o'clock. I was also at the helm from 2 to 4. When I took the helm at 2 the course— S.W. by •yy. i w.— which was then being steered, was given to me. I was steering by the standard compass over my head. I could see it distinctly. I steered that course till about half-past 3, when the captain came to me and said " Port." I turned the helm to port, and kept her off till the captain said " Steady." She was then due west by the standard compass. I kept on that course till 1 was relieved by Denz, to whom I gave the course due W. I had been in the Tararua two months. She steered very easily— as well as any of the vCompanj's boats. _ To Captain M'Gowan ; I was steering by tnr standard compass. The coippashes djd not agree. 7ne officer could see the compass on |fch,e smoking-room without leaving the bridge. To Mr Denniston : I did not hear thjS surf before the boat struck. I was one of the crew ordered by the second officer into the boat he took charge of. We toou Lawrence ashore. As far as I can judge, we got closer than a quarter of a mile to_ the shore to land Lawrence. We afterwards took six passengers towards the shore about the same distance. Three got ashore. We then landed Maher, the fireman, on the reef. We had a little difficulty in landing him. We went back to the ship, and got between 20 and 30 yards of her. That was as close as we were ever carried by the sea. The second mate was ordered to go back and save Maher, who waa drowning on the reef, We took him off. As far as I could see we risked our lives }n doing so. The sea was getting' higher and higher, When we came back to the ship we could not get as close as before. I cannot say the exact distance. We were ordered by the captain to come " closer" or " close" to the ship. The second mate went as close as he could, and then replied that he could go no closer. If he did, he said, he would swamp the boat. The captain, I think, then asked if he had got the man from the reef. He also asked if it was safe to get the passengers ashore. The mate said he could not get any more ashore, as there was no place to land them on the beach. There were no more orders given to the boat by the captain that I know of. As far as I remember, I did not hear a ehout from the captain. We pulled a little bit farther from the wreck to keep in clear water. We were pulling backwards and forwards from the wreck inside of the break. We might have been one side of the break. I cannot say what time it was then. Wo went three or four times as dose_ to tho wreck as wo could. We went within a mile of it—probably three-quarters of a mile. We did this till nearly dark. Tfr e last attempt to go as clohe to the ship as we could was made at dusk. It was impossible to get any closer than wq had been. The sea was running mountains high. We' then kppt outside the breakers till 2 or 3 o'clock next morning, when a light hove in sight. We pulled towards it. It turned out £o be the ketoh Prince Rupert. We were taken on board, Ido not think anything more th»n what the swond rwto

did could have been done under the circumstances. 1 do not think the boat could have lain anywhere so as to pick up any passengers leaving the wreck. After we got outside the break the second mate said he thought we might pick up a vessel or get some assistance. I am a Swede. Ido not think it would have been possible for a steamer to get inside after li To Captain Thomson : 1 could not say whether our boat would have lived all day if she had been full of passengers in the water we were in. The wind had freshened. We shipped water, and one of the men got washed clean overboard. That was when we were betwixt the beach and the wreck. To Captain M'Gowan r He was pulling his oar when he was washed over. He was on the lee side, by the S6 to Captain Thomson: The boat was fitted with C °To 9 Mr Simpson: The man was got on board again by the two men next to him. I did not pay much attention, as it took me all my'time to pull against the bC To Captain Thjmson : The mate went as near as possible to the beach. None of the passengers wore forced overboard. They had stripped beforehand, and jumped off one after the other. There was a heavingline in the boat, but it was not used. To Mr Denniston : During the m-,'ht we saw a light ashore, but we never saw or heard anything of the Tararua. I did not see any signals from the wreck at any time. We were close enough to see any signals if they had been made. I am not aware of any opinion being expressed in the boat as to whether the Tararua would last through the night. We were picked up by the Ilawca before daylight. To Mr Smith : lam quite certain that the man was washed overboard between the wreck and the beach. Ido not know what trip it was. Notwithstanding that another witness has given evidence to the contrary I am quite certain of what I say. I am sure the line we had on board was a heaving one. It was in the fore part of the boat.

Frank Denz : lam a German. I was a seaman on board the Tararua. I was on the look-out from Rto 10. I reported the Nugget light. It was a clear night, but there was a haze over the land. I went to the wheel at 4 o'clock, relieving Johnson. He gave the course W. by the standard compass. I steered that course until between half-past 4 and a quarter to 5 o'clock. The captain then sang out " Starboard from the bridge. 1 put her to starboard a point and a-half-to W. by S. \S. The captain thereupon said " Steady." I steadied her at that until, the captain came down from the bridge, 20 or 25 minutes afterwards. He then told me to port the helm again. I did so, and she came up W. by N. He told me to starboard again, and she went out to W. He then told me to steer due W., which I did until I was relieved by Charles Stewart, at about a quarter past 6 o'clock. My watch was till 6, but I was relieved to enable me to get some coffee. While I was at the wheel I did not see or hear anything. I could see the land when I left the wheel, but could not tell how far off it was. The haze was then heavier over the land. I had got my coffee, and was outside the forecastle door when I felt the vessel strike. I had not heard or seen anything previously. The captain and second officer were on the bridge together when I left the wheel. As soon as she struck I ran aft. I did not hear any order given as to the engines ; I think they stopped themselves. I went aft for my wife and Mary Kelly, and took them out of the steerage. I put them on deck amidships. There was a good deal of screaming going on at that time. I saw the carpenter's boat come back from the reef after its first trip. The carpenter and another _ man were ordered out of her. They were both glad to come out. The carpenter said, "By George, I am glad I am out of this." The first officerandl were slung on board. The captain said any who could swimandwerewillingtodo so could go in the boat. Three passengers volunteered. I did not notice the ship's boy on board until the boat was overturned. We pulled for the reef and found we could not land. We then pulled out again and went towards the shore. We pulled pretty clo so towards the breakers, and just before reaching them the mate gave orders to take a sounding. I sounded with my oar, and got between 12 and 15 feet of water— l 2 I suppose. After that he save orders to back a little more. We backed a little more and saw a very heavy sea coming It slewed the boat round and filled her full of water, chucking us right along the breakers, boat and all. 1 heard the mate then say, " Now, boys, everyone for himself." We all struck off swimming, and all got ashore but the boy. I can give no idea of the distance we had to swim, I was so excited. I only know that we were farther from the wreck than from shore. When I got on shore I could see the wind come right round from the eastward, and the sea began to rise very high. If the boat had come on shore sound we could not have got her out again— the surf was too high. Ido not think a boat could then have got alongside the ship at all— not within 100 yards. I kept watching the wreck till the last. The sea was rising all the time. The wreck kept coming on shore from the after part of the ship— houses and hencoops. Between 11 and 12 I saw the smokehouse break up. The wreck was continually coming on shore in small pieces. We pulled a man out of the water some time after dark. He was warm, but died when we lifted him on the beach. He swam as far the breakers. He had a lifebuoy around him. The lifebuoy was washed away from him in the surf, and we ran out as far as we could and caught him. We had no lines on shore then. This was before the boat came ashore. There were two or three lines in the boat. The boat did not come on shore until three or four hours after we got on shore. The cook came on shore shortly after that. We saw the breakers washing over the ship. She was standing forward. To Captain M'Gowan : lam not yet discharged from the Company's ship. At 1.15 p.m. the Court adjourned for luncheon, and resumed &t 2.15 p.m. William Henry Holbrook Chatfield : lam master of the Ringarooma. I have had 20 years' experience of the New Zealand coast. I know well the part of the coast where this occurred. I consider Waipapa Point one of the worst dangers we have to deal with in New Zealand.

Mr Simpson : Give us your reasons. The point is low, and there is a long, low reef lying off it, and if there is any spa at all on the coast it causes a vapour to arise i hat obscures the land, and that makes it hard for a master to judge his distance off the land. Mr Simpson : How far back from this point do you change your course ? Witness: I generally run right abreast of Waipapa Point before I change my course at all. I run down on a W.S.W. course, correct magnetic, and when abreast of that point I take a W. course. Mr Simpson : Do you change your course before you see Dog Island light ?J Witness : Yes, often ; but we try always to see Dog Island light before changing our course to west. It is often obscured by the weather, as we are only on the extreme edge of its range. I know Slope Point. If the course were changed off that point due west at a sufficient distance from the land she would clear Waipapa Point. It wou|d not be my usual course to change off Slope Point. I always fay %o pipk up the light, but if there is any haze I run my distanpe from the Nuggets till J am off Waipapa Point and then change. Mr Simpsen : Have you anything to suggest that would diminish the risk at that point ?

Witness: I should suggest a light on Slope Point, with a FBd cutting light over the danger at Waipapa— that is, a section of it red, showing over the danger ; also, a port in Dog Island light showing red over Toby Rock. Mr Simpson : Are both lights absolutely necessary for safe navigation ? Witness : We could do away with the cutting light on Dog Island, but it would be much safer to have both suggestions carried out. The Dog Island light should be left, and a port cut under it, with a red light over the danger. In hazy weather we always stop befo ewe come to Waipapa Point. I served in the old Company. We had no special directions under the pld Company that we have not now. By hazy weather I do not iiiean an absolute fog, but a haze that prevents, me from picking up the land distinctly. I could give no idea as to how far off the land the breakers would be heard ; that depends on the weather. There is very often a heavy swell there, and it breaks very much farther out than it is supposed to do. Mr Simpson : Would a light on Slope Point be suitable for ships coming from the westward ? Witness : Well, we would have Dog Island light to go by till we got into the cutting light on Slope Point. It would be so short a distance that we could not get out of our reckoning. Mr Simpson ; Do you know that it is. tm opinum that prevails at Homo that the light should be on the extreme point of the danger ? Witness : Yes ; but if you put a light on the extreme point there, I think it would lead ships ashore. They could see the light, but would not be able to guess the distance they were off ; but if you have a cutting red light, they would know when to haul their ships out. I William Christie Sinclair (master of the Arawata) I deposed : I agree with Captain Chatfield's evidence. ■ When moderately clear I always sight Dog Island light before changing my course. Then I get tho light to bear W. uftgnotio, and i! not, I keep the ship qI till I jet It, and then steer for tho Bluff W,

|N, I have put on the chart where I consider the lights should be. The lights should be on Slope Point, white to seaward, with the red aft to run right over Toby Rock, and so clear both dangers I have passed Waipapa about 236 times, and nearly always in the dark or the dusk of the evening. There are instructions for officers issued by the Cempany to all officers, so far as my experience goes. James Burnett deposed: I was an A.B. on board the Tararua on the 28th ultimo. I was at the wheel. I relieved Dickson from 8 to 10 p.m. The course I got from him was S.W. by S., nothing to westward. That was by the standard compass. I steered the course given to me until the second mate came aft and told me to steer S.W. by S., to make a true course. That was at about 8.25 p.m. I continued that course till relieved at 10 o'clock. I was the lookout at 4 a.m., and relieved Dickson. At that time the weather was hazy, but fine overhead. I just discerned the land. I formed no opinion as to where we were, nor as to how far we were off the land. I was not on the look-out when the vessel struck. I did not hear any surf or breakers. I was relieved at about 6.15 — as near as I can recollect— for my coffee, and Weston took my place. At the time I left I saw no chany c. I saw the haze over the land, but did not form any opinion as to the distance we were from it. I went down into the forecastle, and could only have been down four or five minutes when the vessel struck. When I left the deck the second mate was on the bridge. I did not see the captain then. Before 5 o'clock I saw two officers on the bridge. I came on deck when the vessel struck. I was ordered into the second mate's boat. We took Lawence on shore, and then six passengers, three of whom only landed. I could not say how close we were to the shore. The sea was breaking, and we were afraid to go closer. lam sure we had no lines on board that time. The only line I saw in the boat was a heaving-line Maher took, and had round his waist when he landed. When we had taken Maher back off the reef and were lying off the ship, we went as near the ship as we could. I could not say how near exactly. We were near enough to have had people slung on board us if they would have come. I heard the captain saying that anybody who could swim and liked could go on board the boat. Nobody ventured. The sea was rising all the time, and breaking right over the ship. We could not get near her, and I heard the captain tell us to stand off. We stood out a little, and were very nearly capsized once, and I was chucked out of the boat. We were then standing out to sea. I swam to the boat, and was taken in. I was at the port after oar, and the sea caught us on the starboard bow and threw me over. It was very rough. We went out and came in again as far as we could. We kept off and on three times. We kept out just beyond the breakers, about a mile from the ship. I think we get within half a mile of the ship. When it was getting dusk, about 6 o'clock, we stood off finally. We then saw we could no nothing. I heard them discussing in the boat that it was better to go out to sea a bit, and get some rest. It was hard work watching the breakers, and we were exposed to danger during 'that time. I think we could not have lain near the ship to save life. The current was taking us broadside away to sea, to the eastward.

Mr Denniston : Assuming the ship wai breaking up with the passengers, was there no position you could have taken with the chance of saving life ?

Witness : I could see no position in which the boat could have lain so as to save any passengers washed from the ship. I saw the boat that was washed away from the davits.

Mr Denniston : What is your reason for thinking that no lives could have been saved if you had remained near the ship ? Witness: I think the sea was running so high that nothing could have lived in it. The second mate said we should keep the ship in sight as far as we could, as they might need assistance. I think a 1 small steamer of light draught would have been of use if she could have anchored close to the wreck. Ido not know whether she could have anchored close to the wreck. I think she might have been useful up to about 12 o'clock, but after that the sea was too high. To Mr Simpson : Ido not think that in the afternoon a steamer would have been of any use. When I was on the look-out the last time, I heard the captain's whistle.

That was before 5 o'clock. j Charles Stewart deposed : lam an A.8., and was on board the Tararua on the 28th ult. I was at the .wheel from 10 to 12, and relieved James Burnett. Burnett gave me the course— S.W, by S. JS. I steered that course until I was relieved. I noticed nothing while I was on deck. I relieved Frank Denz at about 5.5 a.m., when he went for his coffee. He gave ;me a course— west. These courses were by the standard compass. I kept her west, and was at the wheel'when she sr.ruck. When I took the wheel I saw no land — I was not looking for it— and I heard nothing. When I came aft the second mate was on the bridge. , I believe I saw the captain coming down from the bridge as I went aft, but I could not swear to it. She struck about 10 minutes after I took the wheel. I saw the second mate coming aft to the captain's room, , abaft the mainmast. That would be about five minutes before she struck. I heard no breakers at that jtime, and did not notice any land. The captain came out to the second officer, but I could not hear what was said. The captain sang out " Hard a-starbuard.'' Before that I saw him looking to leeward over the port side. The captain ran to • the wheel and helped me to heave 1 it round. She answered her helm, but I did not see how far she went round. She struck immediately afterwards. There was about a minute between the captain catching the wheel and the ship striking. I cannot say if she slewed after striking. I stuck to the wheel 1 until she broke the gear. As she struck she lifted the wheel up three times and the jjear broke. I let go and then caught hold again. I did not like to run away from it. I stayed there a few seconds, and being of no further use there, I stepped forward. I was saved in the second mate's boat. I was one that was lowered in the boat. ,' John Weston deposed : lam an A.B. and was on board the Tararua. I was on the look-ont when the ship struck. I went on the look-out at about sor 10 minutes after 5, and relieved Burnett. When P went forward I saw the land on the starboard side of the ship. I could see the loom of the land, but not the beach. I did not form any idea of how far off we were from the land. At first I heard nothing. When I went forward I saw no one on the bridge— j looked towards it ; but I saw somebody aft. I looked to the bridge because I had orders always to keep a bright look-out. The ship struck about five minutes after I went on the forecastle-head. ' Just about a minute before she struck I saw the foam round the vessel, and I thought she was in 'some current. I did not report this, as I did not think the foam meant any danger. I saw nothing else before she struck, nor did 1 hear anything. I did not hear the sound of breakers. The foam was like bubbles, it was not like water breaking over rocks ; it looked just the same as if it was boiling. I did not notice the ship's course being altered before she struck. Mr Simpson : What did you look out for {—We have to look out for vessels or land or rocks, and to report if we hear surf.

To Mr Denniston : Just before she struck I had turned to go aft to see what the foam meant. The ship struck aft and sent me spinning. I heard no orders given. I stayed on deck with the rest of the crew. I was in the chief mate's boat and got on shore at the time the boat filled. Between the time I went forward and the time the vessel struck I do not recollect seeing anyone on the bridge. ■

Jam.es Maher deposed : I was the storekeeper of the engineers' department on. board the Tararua. At the time of the Tararua striking I was asleep in the forecastle. I came on deck with the rest, and volunteered to go in the second mate's boat and swim with a line round my body to the reef. My idea was to save the ladies. I went to see if there was a landing-place on the reef for women, and I hoped to bo in a position to help them ashore with the rope. The carpenter had reported there was a landing there. The sea was increasing every minute, and I think the tide was coming in. I was swung Irom the ship into tl\e boat, and took a heaving-line with me, I was taken as close to the reef as possible— l thjnk within thirty or torty yards of it. I mi^de tne line fast round my body and jumped out of the boat, leaving the end on board thinking it would be long enough. I found the line was notions enough. I lifted my hand as a signal to let go the line, which was done. I managed to get on the reef with great difficulty. The boat went off and left me. I found the 6ea increasing and breaking over the reef. I went on my hands and kuees so as to keep hold, of the rock, and cut myself in doing so. I found it useless as a landing-place, I made three attempts to get to the shore, and was washed, back again. I held a coat up as a signal to, the ship that it was no use, and a boat came back and took me on board with great difficulty. I had to swim to the boat. I recollect nothing for an hour after I was taken on board, having swallowed so much salt-water. The sea increased very much. The boat lay off and on to the vessel till dusk, and in my opinion the second officer did everything in his power. I believe there was no possibility of getting near the ship, the sea was increasing so much. George Lawrence deposed : On the 28th April I was a steerage passenger on board the Tararua. I was below when the vessel struck, and was awoke by her striking. I oamo on deck with the reat, I volunteered to swim ashore, The captain asked for (our young follows that could swim to go whore mi ptnd for

assistance. He picked out four of the passengers who had volunteered, and then changed his mind, and said one life was enough to risk. He then turned to me and asked me if I could swim. I was standing beside him. I said, yes ; I couH swim, and I would go ashore. At that time the boat was hanging in the davits, and the crew were getting into her. I canno t say the exact time, but it was just after daybreak. We could see the coast. I think we were about threequarters of a mile from land. I got into the boat. When the four volunteered he said they were to go in different directions and send word. After I was selected he gave me no directions. I understood what I was going for. The boat put off, and as near as I can guess, went within 300 yards of the shore. That was outside the break. They backed in, and the mate said he would give the word when I was to go overboard. He said "Go," and I went overboard and swam ashore. I had no difficulty until I got into the surf, and then I had great difficulty, I was so much tossed about. On reaching the shore I went over the sandhills. At first I could not walk, I was so cold. When circulation was restored I went over the hills and saw a house half a mile off. I went to it and found some station hands. It was one of Bruntori's out-stations. I cannot say what time this was. I first asked where I was, and they told me, I believe, it was , Brunton's station. I asked them for the nearest telegraph-station, and was told it was Wyndham, 30 or 40 miles off. I asked one of them if he would ride and telegraph to the Union Company and tell them the Tararua was on the reef, and to send assistance immediately. These are as nearly as possible the exact words I used. I told him he would know the reef ; I did not. He said he would go at once, and asked if any passengers were drowned. I told him not then ; I was the first man that had come ashore. I told him I swam ashore. I gave him no other message. Up to this I had fixed no time, and do not know when he left. I had a cup of coffee and got a change of clothing, and then went back to the beach. I cannot say how long that took, but I got back just as the six passengers were trying to land. I saw the five passengers in the water, and three of them get on shore. The other two were drowned and their bodies carried away. Two got on shore easily, and one with difficulty, being pulled on shore by myself and Thilen, one of the other passengers. The sea began to get rougher afterwards. I saw the first mate's boat coming near the shore. She was backing in, and was swamped. Her bow slewed round, and the next breaker partly filled her. She was just outside the surf. Some of the men jumped out. I saw the boat turn over, and I think some of the men were capsized with her. I think eight men got on shore. This time was halfpast 10. I fancy I heard the mate say that was the time. At this time the sea was breaking over the after part of the steamer. I then entertained hopea for the safety of the vessel. The sea rose rapidly after that, and began to break more. I did not think there was any danger till about half-past 2, and then I saw the passengers were being washed off, and light wreckage began to come ashore. I went to the hut and brought some tea and enffee for the men, and then remained about the beach till sundown, and then we all went to the hut. We came back as we heard the cheering, about 7 o'clock. I can form no idea as to how long a boat could have remained near the ship. There appeared to be a great deal of broken water round the wreck. It was never very smooth, but it got worse after 10 o'clock. I told the messenger to send to the Union Company at Dunedin andlnvercargill. The messenger, I believe, started at once. He left his breakfast and went away. I don't remember whether I said I swam ashore from the boat.

To Mr Simpson: I did not say anything about danger— only to send assistance immediately. Ida not think a steamer could have got near the wreck after 11 o'clock. I may say I heard Captain Garrard say to one of the passengers that there was no danger; it was merely a question of an hour or two. The passenger was very much excited, and this was said to pacify him.

Mr Simpson : I think you should be highly complimented. You did all you could to save the lives on board the vessel, and I think yours was a very, very brave act.

At 5.30 p.m. the Court adjourned until 10 a.m. on Saturday.

The official inquiry into the circumstances attending the wreck of the Union Company's s.s. Tararua waa resumed at the Resident Magistrate's Court at 10 a.ra on Saturday, before Mr W. L. Simpson, R.M., and Capt. Thomson and Capt. M'Gowan, nautical assessors.

Mr Denniston conducted the ease for the Crown, Mr James Smith appeared for the first and second mates, and Mr F. R. Chapman for the representatives of the late Captain Garrard.

Mr Denniston handed in to the Court a copy of the seagoing certificate of the Tararua, issued by Mr Nan" carrow, the Government engineer.

Antonio Michaeloff deposed : I am a Maltese. On the 28th of April I was chief cook on the Tararua. I had been in the Tararua three months. I was called at 5 o'clock on the morning of the wreck by the chief steward, and got my orders for the day. I dressed and went on deck. I was told by the steward it was past 5 o'clock. Shortly afterwards, at about a quarter past 5, 1 heard the vessel strike. I was abreast of the engine-room companion. I heard the captain, the moment she struck, sing out, "All hands to the boats." The captain was close to mo when he gave the order. The second mate was alongside the captain. The captain then called out, "Mr Munro, stop that engine as quiokly as you can." I rushed down below to call my mates, and the chief engineer (Munro) said to me, "Antonio, save my child." I went as far as the galley, called my mates, and then went to the chief engineer's room and took his child— a boy about six years of age— on deck, and the engineer said, " Keep him till I come.'About half an hour afterwards I gave the boy to his father. The telegraph was on the bridge, and was nofc used. The captain called to the engineer from the companion. The engine stopped immediately. I went to the saloon. Some of the saloon passengers were on deck already. I went to the ladies' cabin, called the stewardess, and helped to get the passengers on deck. We got them all on deck. I cannot give any idea how many passengers there were. I know there were more than 40 in the saloon— that includes six or seven children. The captain gave orders to put the ladies in the smoking-room. This was done— the ladies and children were all put there. I cannot sayhow many ladies there were. The captain then ordered the steward to bring a bottle of brandy and give a little to the ladies to keep them warm. The four boats were all suspended from the davits at half-past 6. I saw the second mate's boat lowered with a passenger, and three cheers were given when the boat went away. I then went down to the saloon to see if the chief steward wanted assistance. The chief steward had hurt his finger opening a bottle of brandy, and I went down to see if I could help him. I went ore deck and looked down the skylight. I saw two halfcastes in the galley. The engine-room I saw was then filling with water. This was at about half-past 7. I sang out to the men to come up, as the water was rising. As soon as the ship struck the captain fired! two rockets, and then fired a gun three times. At about 8 o'clock I gave tho passengers food. The first water that came in the ship was between the engines. When I went to the cabin to see the steward there was no water coming from below. The saloon was filled with water from the deck about 10 o'clock. The captain told the chief steward to see if he could get anything for the passengers to eat to keep them warm. The second cook and I went through the skylight into the galley, and sent the butcher to get some meat. The first time the butcher went to the forecastle for meat it was washed out of his hands. I sent him the second time, aud he brought some. I c .oked it as best I could, and made two big cans of coffee. I sent these on deck to the forecabin steward and he took them to the ladies in the steerage-cabin, which is below the smoking-room. The ladies were served on deck, but some would not take anything. This would be at about half-past 8. I fouHd I could not stay any longer in the galley, because the water waa coming in from the skylight and engine-room and filling it. The chief steward asked me if I had any cold meat, and I went with the first and second pantrymen down to the pantiy, which is just off the saloon, and got a tin of sugar, a tin of tea, and some biscuits and a bag of bread. I was frightened to go down at first, as I saw the captain's room was getting loose, and would soon be washed off ; but when I saw others going, I went too. The provisions were got for the boats, and placed in the ladies' steerage-cabin. The sea was not very bod at first, but waa rising all the time. I asked the pantryman what these provisiona were for, and he said, " I suppose we will put them in the boats." I sawthe captain's cabin go overboard about, an hour after this. The caotain ordered the doors- of the smoking-room, in which the ladies were, to be shut to keep out the water. • That was done,, and the water was kept out. EveryDody seemed collected on deck, and some of the passengers were smoking. I did not hear the captain or passengers say anythingabout the position of the ship. I d;id not see the passengers going ashore. I was attending to the steward'adirections, and was looking ifter the passengers on. board. About 11 o'clock the sea became frightfully heavy. Then the captain ordered all the men to go onthe forecastle-head ; the womea and children were still', in the smoking-room. I saw the captain, the first engineer, and second engineer currying the third i ngineor on a mattress it tho (orecftsHo-neidi The

ihird engineer had broken his leg. I hod seen Aim at about half-past 6 o'clock lying alongside the /'funnel with his leg brokon, and Dr Campbell attending to him. I and the pantryman brought the medicinechest from the saloon, and we took it back to the purser's room. Some of the men went up the forerigging, and three sailors went as high as they could go. The captain then came by the bridge to the forecastle-head. I saw him looking, and he said, "I think we will have to bring all the ladies up here." He then moved the third engineer higher up, to the driest place. The captain stood there for about half an hour, and then went back to the main bridge, and walked about looking for the boat for a quarter of an hour. This would bo very near 12 o'clock. While lie was standing on the bridge the sea washed away the <cutter that was hanging in the davits, and iminiediately afterwards washed away the dingey. The :6ea was then awfully heavy. None of the passengers ■were then washed away. The captain called out, " Look out for the ladies," because at that time the forecastle-bridge was washed away. The chief engineer, the second engineer, the captain, and myself went to save the ladies and children. The captain went from the bridge, and every time ho hatl a chance he opened the door of the smoking-room and got a lady or child out from the door and passed them to us, and we passed them from one to the other to the forecastle. All were taken safely to the forecastle-head. This took ua about an hour. The sea wa9 still increasing. 1 heard no orders given to the boats. All the passengers were on tho forecastle about 1 o'clock. The .captain came on tho lorecastle-head and said, "Put the ladies as far up as you possibly can." The captain then went up the jigging and spoke to the three sailors and (carpenter, who were high up in the rigging, ipointing with his hand, but I do not know what he ■said. About 2 o'clock the sea was striking her very iheavily, and the vessel was going down by the stern ■from the centre. The fore pare was not rising though the after part was going down. The captain came down from the rigging, went on the forecastle-head, and said to the chief engineer, " I think the sea will be going down soon, because the tide is going down." This would be about a quarter-past or half-past 2. Up to this time no passengers had been washed overboard. I was holding on by the rail at the forecastle-head on the starboard side. While holding on a 6ea came three or four times and crushed us against the rail. Then a heavier sea came, and the passengers gave another rush, and a piece of the rail gave way with me and about 16 others and carried us overboard. I heard the voice of the captain saying, " Oh God, God I what am Ito do now ?" He was then on the forecastle-head alongside the capstan. I cannot remember the captain saying anything, or the passengers either. I have told everything I heard. The passengers were very quiet ; some of the ladies were crying. I heard one of the passengers saying " There is one boat out to sea," but I oould not see it. I cannot say what time that was; I think it was before the captain went up the rigging. The sea round the ship was Bomething frightful. No boat could have come alongside the ship from 11 o'clock. I am certain I never heard the captain make any remark about the boat, As I was washed overboard as soon as I was in the water I caught hold of a young woman by the neck and sang out for a rope. I held on for a minute or two, when we were separated by a heavy sea. I made for the shore. I turned my head back to see if anyone was coming after me, and could see the captain in the rigging, and still a lot of passengers on the forecastlehead. Among 1 those who were washed off with me were the forecabin Bteward, the messroom steward, the purser and his wife, and the Hobart girl. They were alongside me at the time. lam a good swimmer. It was frightfully rough. Nobody but a very good swimmer could have lived in it. Every time a sea came I dived. My countrymen are good swimmers. I have been accustomed to swim in the surf. I found a lot of wreckage in the water, and to clear that I swam towards the reef. When I got clear ol the wreckage I turned back in the direction of the shore and went easily, the current helping me, and I ducked Under the break. I was carried nearly half a mile below the fire. The fire was on the port side of the ship. I encountered a great quantity of broken water near the reef. It w s frightfully rough al between the ship and the shore. The sea was running direct into the sandy beach, and breaking very heavily between the ship and the shore. No boat could have lived in the water I swam in. When I got close to the shore I was very nearly done up, and I sang out to one of the steerage passengers, " Oh ! help, help ! " He rad in, got hold of me by the legs, and dragged me ashore just as a big surf was coming in. Two horses were then brought with a sledge. I was put on it and taken as quickly as possible to the fire. I was then taken to the farm, and stayed there till next morning. No boat could have lived in the sea. I think it was about half-past 3 when I landed, and I had been in the vessel till about half-post 2.

Mr Simpson : Could a steamer have got anywhere near the ship ?— No ; not near the ship. Mr Simpson : Supposing a steamer had been in the offing is there any means whatsoever by which the ship could have teen reached? -Yes; early in the Mr Simpson : But not later in the afternoon ?— No

Mr Simpson : There are no means that occur to you by which communication could have been made between the vessel and a steamer in the offing?— No. Mr Smith : I understand the last answer is that no steamer 'n the offing could have communicated by any means with the Tararua after 11 o'clock ?— Yes. Mr Simpson: Could a steamer have got nearer the vessel than the shore, so that persons who could not swim to the shore mdghthave swum from the wreck to the steamer?— No. A steamer could not have lain anywhere between the shore and the ship, and a man could not have swum out to sea. Mr Smith : II a man had tried to swim out to sea, that would have been attempting to swim against the breakers?— Yes. To Mr Simpson : I can give no account of _ the lifebuoys. I saw a passenger come ashore dead in one. Mr Denniston said that he had called all the witnesses he thought it necessary to call ; but there were two of the crew and six steerage passengers, which completed the list of survivors, who had been subpoenaed, and were in attendance if their evidence was required. He thought they might be called and asked if they had any special statements to make. William Hill was called, and deposed : I was a steerage passenger on boardthe Tararua. Iwasput on board the second officer's boat at the same time as the fireman, and remained in her from 9 o'clock on Friday morning till half-past 3on Saturday. We put Maher on the reef, and took him off afterwards. When we had taken him on board, to the best of my belief we went within sixty or a hundred yards of the ship— as near as we could go and avoid the breakers. I heard nothing said from the ship after we took the man from the beach. We ultimately stood off from the ship. I did not hear any orders given to stand off from the ship— there were none given within hearing. There was a nasty swell. At the time we stood out, between the ship and the breakers on shore there was a comparatively smooth sea, excepting that there was a breaker occasionally. We had a smooth sea with a ground swell outside. We saw the boat that had been washed away, and pulled towards it, the second mate intending to take her in tow. We found the planking driven away from the stem and stern posts, and the boat useless. We took the painter of the broken boat and hung to her, to ease the men at the oara, and for her to act as a breakwater. The current then set us in a north-easterly direction, towards Beach Point. I do not think we could have landed. We could see the surf breaking on the shore. We went about two miles and a-half from the ship, and then came back, keeping in smooth water I have spoken of. At that time the sea was rising. We \s ent within three-quarters of a mile of the ship, and that, 1 think, was as near as we could with prudence go. The sea was then breaking over the ship. We then stood out again more to see. There were none of the crew of the boat washed over while I was in it, but before I went in it I saw one of the sailors thrown out when I was standing on the forecastle deck. We did not go so far out the second

time. We lay on our oars for some time, and then stood back to the ship again. We made altogether three attempts to get close to the ship, and on no occasion did we go within three-quarters of a mile, and we could not have gone closer without risk. I believe the second mate acted with prudence In acting ashe did; but had there been other boats there, I have no doubt but what we should have gone nearer. I believe with other boats we would have mode the attempt to approach the ship. My feelings would have carried me into danger. I had a wife and child on board, and did not value my own life. The first time we stood off, when we were off about 6o yards, the second mate said to me, "I think we had better stand out in the offing for a time to save this boat." At that time we had just seen that the first mate hod lost his boat in the surf. I said, " Dear me, what is our hope ?" referring to the ship. The second mate said, " Well, we must trust in Providence. I have no doubt we bhall soon have help now, either from the Bluff or Port Chalmers, and then if we save this boat we shall have her to work with." The second mate was quite cool. He also said if the sea moderated we should have her to work with. We pulled out in the offing so as to clear tho reef. He then said two men might keep the boat jogging, so as

to give the others a spell. He saw a light, and tried to take its bearing with a light on the ship or on shore. I baid, "If I can do anything, I will, and ho replied, "No, sit down in the bottom of the boat and make yourself a3 comfortable as you can un<U-r tho circumstances." I did so, and looked up occasionally, and saw the light on shore. We were taken up by a small coa-ter, 'and then placed on board the Hawea. Mr Denniston: Now if there is anything special you wish to say we -hall bo glad to hear you. Mr Simpson': You said at one time you wished to say something about the captain. Witness : I did, sir. It is not a great deal I have to say, but I think it nothing but right I should 6ay it. I have not come to have questions put in my mouth.

Mr Denniston : Yes, you have You have come to answer questions, and not to give an account as if you were speaking to a reporter, but to give evidence as to the causes of the wreck. If there is anything special you wish to say, you have now an opportunity of saying it. Witness : It is respecting the women not being saved. Before I left the vessel I heard the captain givo orders to get the baskets ready to save the women. I believe the first mate was a great deal in the wrong. Mr Denniston : If you can givo us any facts from which you draw that inference, we will hear them. Witness : Ho was wrong in going so near the shore. Mr Denniston : You are not a seaman ? Witness : Yes, I am. I have been to sea for a period of 10 years. Mr Deuniston : Ido not know whethor tho Court wish to hear Mr Hill's opinion. Capta'n M'Gowan : No. Mr De'nniston : Where were you when you formed your opinion as tho mate's conduct ? Witness : In the second mate's boat. Mr Denniston : I did not understand that. We will take your opinion for what it is worth. You were giving your opinion. Witness : That the chief mate did not show judgment in managing his boat. I have been 10 years at sea, and was in the employment of the Oriental Company in the capacity of able seaman. Captain M'Gowan : How long is it since you left the sea ?

Witness : About 15 years. Mr Denniston : How far were you from the shore ? —Not three-quarters of a mile. The first mate's boat was within 30 or 40 yards of the shore, and in the surf. The ship was about a mile from tho shore, and we were half a mile from the ship. Mr Simpson : Was the chief mate's boat in the surf when you formed your opinion ? Witness : Yes. It was turning over when I saw it. Mr Simpson : Did you see "her in the breakers intact. Witness : I saw the boat in the breakers with the men in her. Captain M'Gowan : Did your boat not approach nearer the reef than the mate's did to the shoie? Witness : Yes ; we went within 10 yards of the reef ; but there was more danger in approaching the shore than the reef. Mr Simpson : If his object was to land passengers, you say he backed the boat too close in to the shore and too near the breakers ?— Yes, without a doubt to my You are giving us your opinion formed at the time ? Yes. Mr Denniston : Did you express your opinion in the boat at the time ?— Yes. It was spoken of in our boat, but Ido not remember the words used. I expressed my opinion then to the same effect, but perhaps not so strongly as now. Mr Simpson : Did others express the same opinion ? —Yes ; the second mate said that the first mate went too near. . . Was this opinion expressed the moment you saw the boat in the surf ?— As she was turning over.

With what object did you go into the boat ?— To see if there was a landing on the reef. The carpenter had been and had come back, and did not give a satisfactory report. I asked the captain to permit me to go. I had called his attention to the reef before. lean swim. I did not intend to return to the ship, but to remain on the reef if a landing for passengers could be effected. I said to the captain I would hold up my hat if it was prudent to land on the reef, and he said, " Not only your hat : hold up both your arms." When we got to the reef the second mate and myself looked for a landing and saw we could not land. He asked me if I would land, and I said " No." I was to have gone in the carpenter's boat, but I Eaw that the carpenter did not handle the boat properly, and I asked and was allowed to go in the second mate's boat. I said to the captain " You will send the ladies first ?" and he said, " 1 will," and he then asked the first mate if he had the baskets with him. Without doubt there was great neglect and error in getting on the reef. Sir Denniston :We may assume that ; but you were below till the accident occurred.

Mr Simpson : You had no opportunity of judging what was the cause of the ship going there. We will not take that from you. We assume there must have been an error of judgment in getting the ship ashore. You cannot give us any particular reasons from which you conclude that it was an error of judgment except the fact that the ship was there. Witness : Every practical man must know. Mr Simpson : Well, can you tell us how the ship got tbere ?— lt must have been by neglect. You suppose that. Was there anything you noticed ? —A man should be more attentive to his duty and have the lead cast. . . Mr Simpson : You 6hould not form an opinion like that. You are assuming he did not cast the lead. Have you satisfied yourself he did not cast the lead ? Witness : If I can believe what the seamen said. Mr Denni3ton : The object of the Court is not to get the witness' opinion, but facts. , , Mr Simpson : How have you formed your opinions ; by talking to the sailors? ....... - .- Witness : I am not in the habit of mixing up with Mr Simpson : You seem to be getting rather hot. Do not rush away with any stupid opinion. As I said, we have had the same opportunity of examining the sailors, and can form our own opinions from their statements ; you need not tell us that. Ido not know what class of life you belong to, or whether it was iivfra dig. for you to talk to sailors, but I would not be above talking to sailors, and I did not know there was anybody who would be. , Witness : I did not say I was above talking to sailors. .. , , _ Mr Smith : I have one or two questions to ask. I understand you to say you actually witnessed the capsizing of the first mate's boat ?— Yes. You being in the second mate's boat?— Yes. And that at the time you made the remark that he must have gone too near?— l said, "He is in the breakers." . , „ _ That is the exact observation you made 7— Yes. Is that all you said ?— The second mate said Is that all you said ?— Yes, sir. Now you said the second mate made some observation ?— He said he had gone too close. Will you swear the second mate spoke at all at that time ?— Oh yes, sir, as often as you wish. I have no particular wish that you should swear it once, twice, or three times. Do you recollect in what position the second mate was with regard to the first mate's boat at that moment ?— He would be as nearly in a line as possible with the ship and tho boat. Can you say whether he had his face or his back to the first mate's boat ?— I called Mb attention to it, and he looked.

How is it you did not tell us that before ?— I do not know. You do not know ?— lt would be One moment, please. What did you say?— l have told you, sir. I said, "Heis in the breakers."

Is that what you mean by saying you called the second mate's attention to the first mate's boat ?— Yes.

I understood from what you said that you must have addressed some observation particularly to the second mate to call his attention to what had happened. That is all you said, "Heis in the breakers." Will you undertake to say that the second mate had not his back turned to the first mate's boat at that moment ? „,,.,, Mr Simpson : How was your boat heading at the time?— Wo were nearly sideways on to the shore, heading easterly. Mr Smith : What do you say were the words used by the second mate at the ( time?—" He has gone too near," or " He is too near." Mr Simpson : There is a very great difference, witness. Mr Smith : As a matter of fact you saw them too near. You saw them in the breakers. I wish you to tell me the exact words the mate used, if he spoke at all.— l am prepared to Bwear to what I said just now, to the best of my belief ; but you must think that under the circumstances we might be a little excited, and not remember so well as to say whether he said ho was in the breakers or ho is too near. lam not positive whether he said " He is too near" or " He has gone too i.:'r."

\ • *. paid this was a moment of great excitement?— Yes.

Mr Simpson : Why?— Not a moment, but hours of excitement and anxiety to me. Mr Simpson : But at this time you had gone with a view of looking out for a landing, and apparently with

the prospect of getting one?— There was another boat lost. Mr Smith : In vhat sen edo you intend to use the word excitement? Were you excited?— We all were excited.

Mr Simpson : I have to remind you that you told us some time ago, when under examination by Mr Denniston, and before you got excited in the box - for you did get a little excited— that tho second matu was much cooler than you. Witness : The second mate was perfectly cool. Mr bmith : Now I ask if you were excited, because you spoke of excitement. Witness : If we were to fee a torpedo explode thero (in the centre of the Court) we should be exuitud. Mr Smith ; We do not want your illustrations. Mr Simpson : I do not think we should have time to become excited. You must be aware, witness, that the opinions you express hive a very soiious bearing upon certain 'individuals. You must remember that, and only givo expression to what you are positively certain about, and ground upon observation that would lead a reasonable man to come to the same opinion. You miut not regard us as wishing to twist anything, but only as desirous of seeing that opinions arc well founded. Mr Smith : Who displayed excitement, if anybody did?— l do not know who displayed excitement. I suppose 1 had better take it to myself. I felt a little excited.

You suppose you had better take it toyourself. Why should you do that, if ifc does not belong to you 7 -I do not know.

Really, 1 must request you to answer mo more in telligently than that.— l canuot do so when you ask mo why the men should be excited. I ask you if you were excited. I felt excited when I saw tho boat capsized. I cannot say how the others felt.

Can you take upon yourself, owning that you felt excited at the time, to say positively that anyone spoke besides yourself ?— Ye*, sir. You are l.ot able to Bay what the second mate said exactly. We have three separate versions. — Two. Which two?— Either "He ii in the breakers," or " He has gone too near the breakers." To Mr Smith : I spoke first. Tho observation was made after the mischief was done.

To Mr Simpson : I do not know tho depth of the water, but I believe it would have been possible for a steamer to have lain between the shore and the ship up to about 2 o'clock. I have no doubt a vessel drawing six feet could have lain there up to that time, but I will not say she could have done so without risk. There would have been risk, but no doubt men would have run it.

To Mr Smith : I recollect the second mate's boat being nearly capsized when returning from the reef with Maher. If the boat had not been righted before the next wave came she must have been swamped. I consider the boat was particularly well handled by the second officer, and yet it was very nearly capsized. With the best seamanship a boat might have been capsized in such a sea. The breakers were very nasty, but I have seen worse and have been in worse oft Sunderland, when I was in a collier. Mr Dennistou said he proposed calling the other survivors, to Bee if they desired to make any statements.

John Chatterton and Hemy Deeley were called, but did not appear, and Gustave Tellien, George Robins, Torkel Nioholson, and Thomas Davis said they had no statements to make, and there waa nothing special they desired to speak of. The Court adjourned at 1.30 for three-quarters of an hour. On resuming, John Ohatterton was called, and said there was no particular matter he wished to mention. He was saved in the first mate's boat-

Henry Doeley, who was saved in the second mate's boat ; Nicholson, one of the A.B.s saved in the second mate's boat ; and Frank Rahl, one of the firemen, who was saved in the flrtt mate's boat, were called, and in reply to similar questions said they hod no statements to make.

Lewis Matheson, master of the schooner Pioneer, deposed : I was lying with my vessel at Fortrose jetty. At 20 minutes past 9 a man named Charles Gibbs told me of the wreck of the Tararua. He had come from the wreck on horseback. Fortrose is eight or nine miles from the scene of the wreck. I borrowed a horse and started for the scene of the wreck, reaching the beach about 11 o'clock. The vessel was then lying bow on to the beach, and the sea was breaking over her stern and going fore and aft over her bow. It seemed to sweep along her dock and roll forward. There was a heavy ground swoll coming in to the beach. The water could not be seen from the beach to break on board her until about 12. At 11 o'clock, there was a heavy roll between the ship and the beach, breaking occasionally. It did not break so heavily to the N.E. If there had been a vessel at hand about 11 o'clock a boat might have got near enough to the wreck to embark passengers from the yardarm. A samll steamer could not have gone nearer than within three-quarters of a mile of the vessel with safety. I question much if a ship's lifeboat could then have been launched from the beach. The first mate's boat was ashore when I got to the beach, but she was not fit for launching even when repaired. At that time the ship was whole and apparently safe. I do not think it would have been safe for a small screw-steamer then to have lain inside the ship. There was a light wind from the S.B. There was a heavier swell than usual, and there had been a heavy swell all the week right into the Toi-Tois. After 11, as the tide made, the sea increased. I was bar-bound there, and had been so three days when the Tararua was wrecked. The sea kept increasing till dark. The wind got lighter towards night. The sea did not go down with the change of the tide till after dark. Ido not think a boat could have gone near enough to have people slung into it after 12 o'clock. I question if a boat could have gone within half a mile of tho ship with safety after 12 o'clock. It would not have been safe to have come in before dark or after dark. Had it been daylight at low tide, and a steau er down there, she would have been of use ; but no vessel could have been of use, because it was not low tide during daylight, and boats could not have worked afterwards. I remained till about 6 o'clock at night, I went to the station, and came down next morning at about 8 o'clock. There was then only a bit of her stom sticking up.

To Captain Thomson : When sailing I would have made allowance for the tide, but I do not think the swell would make much difference to a steamer going 10 knots. I question much if the Kakanui corning up before dark would have been any good. A light on Slope Point or Waipapa Point would have saved the ship, but Slope Point is the best place for a light. If the Kakanui had arrired I do not think she could have stood in anywhere where she could have floated a line to the ship. Mr Simpson : If the Kakanui had come in in daylight so as to have made out the position of the wreck, is the place such that she could have ventured in in the dark and rendered assistance ?

Witness: No, Ido not think it. It would not have been safe.

To Mr Denniston : I have been 18 years on the coast.

John Spence, chief surveyor of the Southland district, deposed: I proceeded to the scene of the Tararua's wreck on the 15th inst. I produce two plans— one on a scale of 10 chains to the inch, and another on tho scale of 40 chains to the inch. The position of the wreck is fixed by actual survey, and the reefs are, in my opinion, accurately shown. Even at low water the reef is not a practicable means of communication with the shore. So far as I have been able to see, Beach Point or Waipapa Point would be preferable to Slope Point as a site for a lighthouse. No doubt a lighthouse on Slope Point would equalise the distance between Dog Island light and the Nuggets better. The distance of the wreck from the nearest point of the beach is 38 chains.

James Mills deposed : lam the managing director of the Union Steam Ship Company. The Tararua was one of our boats. There has been no change in the equipments of the Tararua since the official report of the Marine Engineer of December, 1880. I produce a statement of the officers and men of the Tararua— the list of the crew is as accurate as possible. It gives a return of 40 in all. There was one man whose name was unknown. The number of passengers from the ship's papers up to her arrival here, and the passengers actually booked here, were given in together with an additional list made up from communications with ourselves and authenticated newspaper statements. The total numbers are 63 men, 9 women, and 10 chil dren. Those supposed to have gone on board anbooked at Port Chalmers are 23 men, 2 women, and 4'children, which, with 39 men and 1 woman, the shipd company number a total of 151. Twenty men were saved. I cannot say of my own knowledge if the Tararua was supplied with lifebelts. She had six lifebuoys. Several of our steamers are supplied with lifebelts. We took the Tararua over about two years and four months ago. In 1876 she had a very extensive overhaul— being fitted with new engines and boilers. As a matter of fact she was an exceptionally strong ship. I have heard that Captain Garrard was 29 years of age. Ho had been in our employ for five years. He joined in May, 1870, as second officer of the Hawea. In July, 1877, he was made first officer of the Wanaka, and in September 1878, master of the Ladybird. In June, 1879, he was master of the Albion, and in March, 1881, he was transferred to

the Tararua. In 1879 he was our junior master, and lam not aware of any change. He was an officer of whom tho Company had a hijrh opinion. He was a zealous officer and a strict abstainer The chief mate had been some time chief officer in M'Meckan's employ previous to November, 1878, and wo took him over when we took their iieet. He was in the Albion until he joined the Tararua with Captain Ganavd. Mr Denniston : What was the relationship between Captaiu Garrard and the mate ?— Personally ? No, officially.— Since Captain Garrard joined the Albion, for nearly two years he had a very good opinion of the chief officer until recently, when he had some reason to change his opinion. Mr Denniston : Basing it on what ? Mr Smith objected to this evidence. Mr Simpson : It would be better to lay a foundation for it. Captain Garrard may have made some complaint officially, and we must get at it. Mr Denniston : I wish to know if Mr Mills enn produce any evidence of tho dissatisfaction of Captain Garrard with the mate. Of course I can only take official communications.

Mr Smith submitted that the Court was bound by the ordinary rules of evid nee, and that evidence, especially tliafc which tended to fasten a charge upon individuals, must be such as could be tested by urossexamination. A statement made by Captain Garrard could not now be received ; but if Mr Mills or anyone now living had a cha geof inefficiency or incompetency against Mr Lindsay, of course that was a different matter. „ , Mr Denniston submitted that the Court was not bound by the rules of evidence in the sense of excluding evidence which would bj excluded in a cnmmal trial. There was no charge auainst anyone, and the evidence had to be looked upon a3 relative to the inquiry and not to the individual. The inquiry was into the causes of the disaster, and the rules of evidence would not be applied as though they were investigating a charge against an individual. He would be sorry to say that the rules of evidence should not be applied to coroners' inquests, for he had suticred a good deal from their neglect, but they should be applied with reference to the matter that was being investigated. In this case there was a written statement by the captain of the vessel, and the Court would require to hold that written statements could not be given in evidence in order to exclude it. The evidence he proposed to adduce was the written statement of one of the officers (now deceased) of the ship, which would be evidence as to the subject-mattor of the inquiry. Mr Simpson said there wa3 a certain risk of a charge arising out of the inquiry, but the fact of the document being used here would not make it evidence m any other charge.

Mr Denniston said it was a legitimate conclusion that the relationship between the first and second officers on board a ves3el was of importance.

Mr Simpson said that if they were to proceed strictly according to the rules of evidence the mates should not have been examined. Mr Smith submitted that as the evidence ha nothing to do with the navigation of the vessel, it could not relate to the inquiry. Mr Simpson '. It bears materially upon tho conduct of the officers, and especially as regards the apparent automaton nature of the first mate's position in this ship from the time she left Port Chalmers down to the time of the wreck. It appeared to me that he became a mere automaton, and this may be some explanation of why he became such in the hands of the captain. I think, for the mate's sake. I would be inclined to admit it. I say from the mate's evidence of his position —of his not being able te know anything of the compass—l do not know what are tho rules of the service, but from the evidence it would seem there is much to explain regarding his position, because I cannot think that the first officer of a ship is reduced to a mere automaton. After some further argument, The Bench decided to admit the evidence. Examination continued: I have received official communication from Captain Garrard regarding the chief officer. I received a telegram from the captain while coming down the coast, requesting a change of chief officer on arrival at Port Chalmers. I received it two days before the ship's arrival here on its last trip. I have not had other official communications. I had a conversation with Captain Garrard, and the result was that I intimated that if he wished it we would change the chief officer, but as our relieving first officer was away I preferred to postpone the change till his return from Melbourne. With this he expressed himself satisfied. My determination to change was at the request of the captain, irrespective of any decision as to the merits. The Tararua is valued in her policies at £18,000, and insured for £14,000. I produce the ordinary instructions to officers and the circular sent to captains. We have no official report of courses. I have a rough estimate of the cargo, so far as we can make out. I have not estimated the value of the cargo. The first intimation we had of the mishap to the Tararua was by a telegram from Wyndham of 29th April, entered at Wyndham at 12.15, and placed in my hands at 12.45. It was not marked "urgent." It was as follows :—" Tararua stranded on Otara Reef ; assistance wanted.— Joseph Attwood." At 1.30 1 sent an urgent telegram to Joseph Attwood, addressing it to Wyndham, as follows :—" Hawea leaves this afternoon. Send word to Tararua. Is Tararua in danger?" After this a telegram was received from the operator at Wyndham stating that the telegram had been forwarded to Mr Attwood at Fortrose. I then telegraphed an urgent message at 2.5 p.m. to the operator :— " Do you gather from messenger that any more assistance would be useful ?" At 2.50 the operator replied, "Think Hawea's assistance sufficient. Have sent copy of telegram." I also saw by the Press telegrams that the passengers were safe. At 3.40, as I was leaving to join the Hawea and proceed to the wreck, I received an argent telegram— "Kakanui leaves Bluff this afternoon; would call Tararua if wanted. Reply." Well, knowing she could not leave till after 4, and could not reach there till 7, long after dark, and being informed that the passengers were safe, I replied, "Not absolutely necessary for Kakanui to call, but can do so if not out of the way, and inform captain that Hawea will be there by daylight." I wish to say that supposing she had been ordered to go the moment we received intimation, the Kakanui could not have been there before 7.30 p.m. I have learned from another source that she only left Invercargill about 1 o'clock, an>l reached the Bluff between i and half-past ; so that she was not available before. We went down with the intention of bringing the passengers back, and provisioned for that purpose.

Mr Simpson : Do you know if your agents at Invercargill had received information of the stranding of the Tararua?— l sent an urgent telegram there, simply saying the Tararua was on the reef, and the Hawea was going to her assistance. We picked up the second mate's boat before daylight. Tho first intimation we had of danger was when we took the second mate on board, and got his statement of what had happened, and his opinion that the Tararua could not have lasted the night out. We came across a great deal of wreckage. After daylight we came up to the Kakanui, lying off the beach, and transferred Captain Cameron, the second officer of the Tararua, and two boats and crews to the Kakanui, and sent her off to effect a landing. We could not go near enough in the Hawea to see what was left of tho Tararua. We steamed backwards and forwards, and picked up some mail-bags, passengers' luggage, and the body of a child. In the afternoon we went as close to Boat Harbour as we could, and took on board the survivors, with the exception of the two officers and the sailors who remained to look after bodies and wreckage till the arrival of the police. Captain Cameron gave instructions to local carpenters to make coffins for the bodies that came on shoro. The second mate was in M'Meckan's service. He came to us when •we took over the fleet, and has remained with us.

Mr Smith : So far as your personal knowledge goes of Mr Lindsay, the first officer, has there been occasion to find fault with him?— No. I have never happened to travel with him, and that is the only opportunity I have of making the acquaintance of flrit officers. Personally, I have nothing against him. Mr Simpson : How long would it have taken the Kakanui to have run from Invercargill to the reef ? Witness : Four or four and a-half hours, without calling at the Bluff, and steaming at the rate of seven or seven and a-half knots. Mr Simpson : She could not have been down by 6? Witness : No. Ido not know how the tide was. Mr Simpson : Have you since ascertained that Bhe was in Invercargill at the time ? Witness : Yes ; my telegram to the agents was sent at 1. The Kakanui does not belong to our Company ; she is owned by another company in Dunedin. Mr Denuisto'n : Do you know anything about the compasses of the Tararua ? Witness : I have heard they were very correct, and the standard compass particularly so. I have heard that more than once from Captain Garrard.

Mr Pimpson : Had you any idea what steamers were in Invercavgill ? Witness: No, I had not the slightest idea what steamers were there. It never occurred to me, as the telegrams were so assuring. Tho Government has sent steamers to stranded vessels promptly from Wellington. Mr Simpson: You do not mean to Bay that the Government Bhould take that duty off the Company?

Witness : Oh, dear, no. We are only too anxious to do it ourselves. . . . . .. Mr Simpson : I should not like to trust to the Government. As regards the assuring nature of the telegram, I should think that under any circumstances a ship on a reef would be in danger. It is amatter for regret that the telegrams were so assuring. Mr Mill's : Assistance could not have been rendered. Mr Simpson : Did the assuring nature of the telegrams cause you to make any delay or do anything you would not otherwise have done?— No. Nothing could have been done beyond what was done. Even had telegrams been despatched from Wyndhom to ourselves earlier, I oo not suppose the Kakanui could have left Inveroargill a minute sooner than she did. Captain Thomson : IE the Collector of Customs had sent the Kakanui ? -The Collector of Customs could not have known till 1 o'clock, and if the Kakanui had left, then «he could not possibly have got to the wreck before 5.30 , Captain M'Gowan : Did you act as well under the advice of your Marine Superintendent ?— Yes. Captain Cameron went with us. James Deuehrass deposed : I have been a master mariner for 19 years, principally on the east coast of New Zealand. I know the coast about Waipapa Point. I know of eight or nine casualties that havo taken place in that neighbourhoad. Tho William Akers was wrecked at Wai^apa Point, as was also tne William Gifford. The ship Surat struck there, the Coraarang. struck, the Aldinga struck twice, and the Easby, and, I think, the Prince Alfred and tho steamer Gothenburg struck there. The William Miskin also is supposed to have struck there. That is the only danger between here and the Bluff. A light on Slope Point would, I think, make it safe. John Wm. Clark, master mariner, deposed : I have been 10 year 3in M'Meckan's employ in the trade between Melbourne and New Zealand. I am now m the employment of the Lyttelton Harbour Company, an I am familiar with the coast of New Zealand. I commanded the Tararua prior to her overhaul. She was a strong vessel, and easy to steer. I have taken her twice from Adelaide to Port Darwin, one of the most intricate passages in the world, and found no difficulty. I concur in the evidence that Waipapa Point is a danger on the coast. When I commanded vessels, my ceurse on that coast has generally been five miles off the Nuggets, and keep five miles off the land as far as Waipapa. After I had run the assumed distance that should have brought mo off Slope Point, if I could not make out where I was I would stop the vessel till daylight. I did not make it a rule to sight Dog Island light before westing. It was during the night that I ran down. I should want something better than my log before altering my course to west. In hazy weather it was always my practice to slow down opposite Waipapa Point. I consider there should be a light on Slope Point Mr Simpson said the Court had not decided whether or not to call for the mate's defence. He had not held an inquiry of the kind before, but section 342 of the Act contemplated that officers should have an oppor 5 tunity of defending themselves, Mr Smith said he would like to know first if there, was any charge against them. If there was no charge, there could be no defence, Captain M'Gowan said that upon an inquiry into the loss of a ship of which he was master he had been re* garded as the defendant. Mr Simpson said he supposed it might be necessary to make some formal charge. They intended to recall the mates, and would adjourn the Court till Tuesday afternoon, by which time they would decide what course they should take. The Court was then adjourned till 2 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon.