THE WARATAH.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCIV, Issue 14341, 13 January 1911, Page 5

THE WARATAH.

MORE CONFUSING EVIDENCE. Prea Association— By Tel.—Copyright. - LONDON, Jan. 11.

Captain Bidwill, Lund's Marine Superintendentj testified that after Ive voyages the captain and officers eulogised the Waratah and made no complaint. Witness . did not remember telling Lund's that the WaTatah was less stable than the Geelong. He added that Captain. Ilberg treated the rumours which were a subject of conversation among Lund's clerks, as idle talk.

Admiral Davis quoted Chief-engin-eer Hodder's letter informing Mr Shanks about coaling at Sydney, and his compelling the captain twice to stop coaling because he was afraid of a possible list. Witness declared that Captain Ilbery told -him nothing of this. CONDEMNATORY STATEMENTS. THOSE FLOATING BODIES. Received 10.10 p.m., Jan. 12th. LONDON, Jan. 12. Mr Bidwell was unable to explain why the ballast tanks, full on the first voyage, were left empty on the second homeward trip from Durban. The depositions of Latimer, tally clerk at Sydney, giving the second officer's opinion that the Waratah had a deck too many, and the Sydne5 f pilot's informing Captain Ilbery that the vessel was tender; and of Lusakin, the steward, that the boatswain had told him the lifeboats were the most awful he had ever seen, were read. Several witnesses who were passengers by the steamer Tottenham Grange corroborated tho previous evidence about bodies being scon. The third officer of tho Tottenham Grarge said tho captain enjoined 'silence regarding the matter, remarking that his owners would have a poor opinion of him if he bothered to pick up bodies and convey them to the nearest port, when other vessels wore specially searching for the Waratah. Saunders, a stowaway, gave evident that the behaviour of the Waratah scared him. He believed she was bound to topple over in a squall. Several other witnesses certified that she was a comfortable ship.