THE WRECK OF THE TASMANIA.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 10987, 3 August 1897, Page 2

THE WRECK OF THE TASMANIA.

] FUNERAL OF THE VICTIMS. ARRIVAL OF KURVIYQR^IN AUCKLAND. CAPTAIN McGEE INTERVIEWED. [rER PRESS ASSOCIATION J Auckland, August I.— The enquiry into the wreck of fclu Tasmania is to be held in Auckland. The Tarawera arrived from Gisborneat fotr o'clock. There -were thousands *t the tee and ha approaches trkare she wp.s berthed, and the rigging of the barque Grace Deering, lying adjacent, wa3 coy ered with people. The policß erected barriers, but thoss were swept away by the pressures of the crowd. The police rescued ssveral fainting women from boing trampled under foow A boy named Doyle fell off the Grace Deering into the sea, and struck his head on a stringer in falling. Ho was rescued by Testa, an assistant tide-waiter. The boy ia badly hurt. Auckland, August 2. — The enquiry into the wreck of the Tasmania is expected to aomraence on "Wediiosday. Mr Brabant, S.M., will preside. The Tasmania's crew might join the Anglian, or could go with the steerage passengers to Sydney by tho Tarawera. This evening nearly all of tho crew left by the Tarawara. Captain McGeo, interriewed, declared that the night when the Tasmania was wrecked was clear, and land appaared a long distance off. Ho was certain tho ship was on a safe course and he has no doubt the ship struck an unobarted rock. Whore she struck there is not a single danger marked, and vessels, he siys, may have pis»»d the rock closely scores of times, not knowing of its presence. The Tasmania was drawing 19ft and the rock would be 16ft to 18ft under water. Tho rocks near Table Cape were known so well that ivessols passed within a mile of them. He believes there is necessity for a more careful survey of the coast for hidden dangers and for dragging in search for hidden rocks. Gisbornb, August 2. — Tha body of Robertson, bedroom steward, was recovered at Mahinga. Arrangements are being made for the despatch of a steamer to recover tho mails. Diving gear is here, and the diver who saved the mails from the Wairarapa is also said to be in Gisborne. The identity of the dead passenger has beon established by a ring found on his person. He is now proved to be Mr Alderton, proprietor of a newspaper at Whangarei. He is the only passenger till now unaccounted for. The closing scene of the Tasmania tragedy took place this afternoon, when the bodies of six of the victims were interred. The businoss places ia town were closed, as a mark of respect, and practically the whole population turned out en masse. The procession was headed by the City Band, followed by three hearses and three expresses, bearing tasteful coffins, which were literally smothered with flowers, wreaths, and crosses of beautiful- design. All classes of the community were represented in the long cortege which followed the dead sailors to the grave. Napier,, August 3.— A party of Postoffice officials, accompanied by a diver, have left for the wreck of tho Tasmania to endeaTour to recover the mails.