THE CAUSE OF THE DISASTER.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 151, 24 April 1886, Page 4

THE CAUSE OF THE DISASTER.

Of course there are all sorts of opinions as to the cause of the wreck, but I hardly think it right to make this the subject of newspaper criticism until all the facts are ascertained, Aa yet we have not the captain's explanation before us, and thero is all the more reason that we should hesitate to express an opinion before knowing all the facts. An opinion, however, may be expressed without doing anyone any injury. It is said by those knowing the coast and currents that a very strong current sets from Clarence Point in to Kekerangu Bight, and out again past Cape Campbell. If, therefore, after passing Cape Campbell, and so escaping the strength of the current, the Taiaroa sot inside the current off this spot, and then caught the strength of the current again on her port bowas it came round Clarence Point it would set the steamer into the spot where she now lies. This seems a verv reasonable explanation of the catastrophe This same current might not improbably : carry the bodies past Cape Campbell, unless northerly weather set in, and in that case one would expect to pick them up in the neighbourhood of Tory Channel. The wind has been blowing from S.W. all day, and would do much to clear bodies off Cape Campbell. Men have been out all day north of Flaxbourne, searching the beach, but it is not likely any further tidings can be received before noon to-morrow. All accounts agree as to the coolness of the officers on board after she struck, and this is borne out by the evidence of Mr Liggins to-day, who showed in different ways that all care was taken to prevent further accident, as, for instance, the lines.

that were taken out thofafter hawser pipes were carefully protected with matting to keep them from chafing. The purser's cabin door was also locked, no doubt with the object of the better security of the ship's papers. At the time of writing it is a very dirty night, and thoro is just a doubt as to whether the Wakatu will bo ablo to land passengers in the surf in boats in the morning. The glass, however, is rising, and I expect we shall have northerly weather during the night, in which case the circunv stances will be favourable both for landing popsengers and for the recovery of bodies. Mr Mason, who arrived here to-night, informs me that Vallance is unmarried, about 35 years of ago, and a native of Canada. In anticipation of tho arrival of the TVakatu outside in the morning, the body of Mr Monkruan, chief officer, is being taken to tho beach to-night to bo sent on to | Lyttelton to-morrow. The body of Mr Vallance will be taken to Blenheim tomorrow and eont on to Picton to catch the steamer to-morrow night for the South. I forgot to mention in previous telegrams 'that tho blades of the Taiaroa's propeller are broken. Sergeant Grant, who has just arrived from Woodbank, reports that shingle is gathering round the wreck.