THE ELINGAMITE ENOUIRY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9638, 13 January 1903, Page 2

THE ELINGAMITE ENOUIRY.

(Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, last night. At the Eiingamite enquiry, m the afternoon, Mr Campbell, m concluding his address, extolled the courageous conduct of Captain Atwnod, and said a review of the evidence showed no grounds for assuming that there would be any negligent or wrongful act on the part of the captain, wlio.se conduct was, on the contrary, deserving of the highest commendation. Mr Martin, m his address, submitted that the first and second officers did their duty right through. They were not on duty at the time of the wreck, but came on deck and assisted with the boats. It had not been shown that the absence of compasses m the boats' contributed to tlie loss of life. Mr Hasclden said that if the boats Imd compasses they could have shaped a course for the land, and No. 4 boat would m all probability have been wived. Mr Martin said that No. 1 boat seemed to know where they were— in what direction the land lay. * The Court adjourned until to-morrow. AUCKLAND, this day. In his sjwech Mr Cotter, who appeared on behalf of the engineers at the Eiingamite enquiry this morning, devoted himself to supporting the evidence given by those m the engine-room that the propellor failing to reverse was due to being jammed, probably by striking some obstruction outside the ship before the order could be carried into effect. In any case tlie subordinate engineers could not be lield responsible when acting under the personal directions of the chief. The, Collector of Customs said the evidence that there was no wedge which would prevent tlie engines reversing was conclusive, as it was shown they would not stop if a wedge existed. All the evidence agreed that the engines /were stopped within a few seconds of the order though they failed to reverse.