FURTHER DETAILS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13482, 23 July 1907, Page 2

FURTHER DETAILS.

DR. WYLIE'S POSITION.

Later.

The decision in the Kia Ora enquiry was the unanimous opinion of the Court. It stated that there waß no evidence to justify the finding that the compass was out of order; on the contrary the evidence in their opinion warranted the conclusion that it was in good order. The evidence did not justify the conclusion that the current or set would have- carried the vessel seven miles out of her course. No allegation was made against the Second Officer or any of the other seamen. De Wolfe admitted that he left the bridge for a few minutes and called the lookout from his post and ordered him to take charge of the bridge while he was away. ; In the Court's opinion De Wolfe was not justified in leaving the bridge or in taking the lookout from hid post. In doing so, he committed a grave breach of duty; The Court thought it was highly probable De Wolfe was off the bridge between 10 p.m. and midnight much longer' than he was prepared to admit, and that during his absence Morris failed to keep the vessel on the course set; and that while De Wolfe was on the bridge he did not keep a vigilant watch and see that the vessel was kept on her proper course. The Second Officer, who. relieved De Wolfe at midnight, stated that 'during his watch the course north-quarter-east was carefully -maintained. The Court had no reason to doubt the accuracy of his I testimony. The Court was of opinion, after having carefully. weighed the conflicting evidence, thas De Wolfe was somewhat intoxicated when he took over the watch from Captain Blacklock at 10 p.m., but it was difficult to find the truth. All the Court could say was that the evidence was not sufficiently, conclusive and satisfactory to 'justify them in finding that De Wolfe did drink more liquor on the vessel after she sailed. The trueM^use of the vessel's deviation from her course was not demonstrated to the Court's entire sat-, isfaction, the evidence not being sufficient to justify them in finding that the loss of the vessel was caused by the wrongful act >6r /default of De- Wolfe: 'The evidence, however, showed that iDe Wolfe had been disrated and later dismissed for drunkenness. It was pro-: vided that if any certificated officer was from incompeteney or misconduct' unfit to discharge his duties the Minister might order an enquiry in a Court of Summary Jurisdiction, which had power to cancel his certificate. After the report the Minister might consider it desirable to direct such an enquiry. The complaint that the crew occupied the best positions under the shelter on the beach had not been established Some passengers complained that Dr. Wylie did not give due attention to them, but after the doctor's evidence, ; the complaints, made in the Court's opinion, under a misapprehension, were practioally withdrawn. The Court was satisfied he did everything possible. The Court forwarded pc Wolfe's certificate to the Minister for Marine.