KIA ORA INQUIRY.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8858, 8 July 1907, Page 2

KIA ORA INQUIRY.

Pgr Press Association,

Auckland, July 8. When the Kia Ora inquiry was re= snmed Morris, who was at the wheel during tiro first watch, made, volnntarily, the following statement:—“When I came from Onehunga I was taken to Mr . Mays’ office, apd from what Mays said to me 1 understood the mate had confessed he was drunk; I" canriot ‘ fdll 'the proper words he said,' and: als'o thaf thp pbidf steward ’bad coin: mitted perjury aiid' wanted to eoii : fess that he had served the mate with a drink. ’ *

Hr Mays, wb.o is the counsel jeproseufmg the Grown, interjected : “That is'absolutely untrue. If the Court will give me an opportunity I will deny it on oath.” Pressed to state the exact words used by Mr Mays, Morris said he could uot do so, hut repeated what ho had previously said, and added, “Then Hays said, ‘No-sailor tricks; tell me all you know ahopt it. * S s.aid the mate was hot etrunk, and that lie might have had a couple of glasses in him,' but not more.”

answering Mr Mays, said that he had Hot made this statement When ' examined because it did not occur to him' till after he had heard Be terson*s statement’ regarding a conversation with Mays. Tlioigas Partridge, whose leg was broken at the time of the wreck,, stated that lie wont on the bridge with Forbes. The latter asked Do Wolfe to have a drink, and all three wont to the saloon and had drinks. Do Wolfe did not seem very steady. Witness did not think he was fit to have pharge of 3 ship, as the maii in charge of a ship should he perfectly sober. Witness whs closely examined to show that he was himself the worse for liquor. He admitted saying when asked to have another drink that he was full. He paid he was well looked after subsequent to the wreck.