THE WAIRUNA INQUIRY.

Colonist, Volume LVIII, Issue 14540, 18 October 1917, Page 6

THE WAIRUNA INQUIRY.

EVIDENCE AS TO lA)ADI.NG

QUESTIONS OF •NATIONALITY

[United Press Association..]

Wellington, Oct. 17

A report of the proceedings at the inquiry into tho Joss of the steamer Wairuna, has been released by the censor.

Captain Phin'ket, Lloyd's surveyor, in evidence, stated that the JVairuna was seaworthy. Further precautions .should l>e taken for the safety of vessels while loading, and all passengers' luggage ought to hp searched.

Captain Stoti, Marino Superintendent for the Union Company, produced a list of ail men employed on the ship at ■Dunedin, Lyttelton, and Wellington. He did not think the vessel had been lost through the ordinary perils of the 'sea. Captain Pobinson, who supervised the loading at Auckland, said the cargo xvas not examined. All liio men working had to show a military certificate, and th» police gave a warning regarding -undesirable characters. . Loiiij Arnoldson, a member of the ■firm of Liechtenstein, Arnoidson, and do., grim merchants, -said his firm shipped gum in the Wairuna consigned to "the i-Srifcish Consul at New York, but the -ultimate consignees were OJipstein: and Co., New York. None of .witness's' partners were aliens. -"■

Asked if Lichton.stcin was not bora tiX Memel, cvitne-ss ?riid: '\No. He is n [Russian, a native o? a plan- onlled Kajr.el."

Witness *aid ho could i;ot explain t.ne st-atomont in tin- New ZoaJund J4n-cy-clopae-dia that- Liciitenc:tein was bora nfc Meinol, in North (.iermany, in 1874. Max Liehtenstdns a. member of the same firm, said lie was born in Russia, of Russian parentage. Counsel nskrv.l : "Have yon over made a statement to the contrary ?" Witness: I'll answer no question as to what I said twenty years ago. He reiterated the denial that anyone in his firm was German. He had never been at Memel.

Werner Langgnih, gam merchant, ;>aid ho employed no one of enemy nationality. Sic left the packing of produce to tho foreman. A. Customs officer could ; nsrjcct his stoic any time. L. R. Maxwell, jjiim merchant, urged the better supervision of cargo loading, the cost of which could b" dir.ded between tho ship and the shipper, to insure the cmwi.unee and the (.-Jov eminent.

rJ'ho Court's linding ht.s already been jrt-portcd.