AWARUA’S MISHAP

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 17157, 6 October 1926, Page 8

AWARUA’S MISHAP

OPENING ON INQUIRY THE MASTER’S EVIDENCE MAKURA’S ACTION QUESTIONED (Ter Press Association.) WEI.MX'GTUN. tins day. The inquiry lias opened regarding the recent misadventure of the small steamer. Awarua, which, during a bad weather passage from the Chatham*, ran short of coal and wa„ eventually located by H.M.S. Dunedin and towed to Wellington. Mr. W. ('. Riddell, S.M., presided, Mr. Taylor represented the Marine Department, and Mr. White the owners of the vessel, Fishers Ltd. The master of the Awarua, Captain Sawyers said he had been in command tor 18 months. The Awarua left the Chatham,, with fall bunkers, and ten tons of reserve, a total of 23 tons of coal. When they reached tape I’alliser five tens-wore left, and this was considered ample with which to reach. Wellington. The wind increased and the vessel made no headway for about two hours. At eight that evening two toils were left, and signals of distress were sent out to the Makuru, but no assistance was forthcoming from her. The force of the wind prevented him from .steering the vessel, so lie put the engines slow and started to go hack to Cape I’alliser to signal for assistance and tell the light - lnmse-keeper to instruct anyone coming after him to follow. The witness related how he ret sail and wa.s blown far io sea. lie .steered east-north-east to escape shipping water, and eventually lie ran before the storm until picked up by the Dunedin. Mr J. Young, for the .Seamen's Union, asked what time the Makura was sighted. Witness said eight o'clock in the evening. Mr. Kirlccaldie, for the Merchant Service Guild, objected to Mr Young’s rpiestions, saying the inquiry was how the vessel rail short of coal. They did not want evidence that might he ’detrimental to anybody not in Court. Mr. Riddell said the matter could he left- in 1 1 its hands. - Eventually he adjourned the inquiry sine die, pending the return of the Makura.