The Star. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1881.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4097, 8 June 1881, Page 2

The Star. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1881.

Yesterday we examined, with some degree of minuteness, the evidenoe against the look-out Weston, upon whioh the censure of the Court of Enquiry into the cause or causes of the Tararua disaster wae based. Now, one of the most important of the rumours which found their way into circulation immediately after the wreok, bore directly upon the ability of any of the crew to satisfactorily discharge a duty which — according to the decision of the Board — comprehended the oafety of the vessel and all on board. It was broadly affirmed that, the Company officers and crew working all day in discharging cargo in the various ports, and in •ailing the steamer all night, they are debarred from obtaining that sufficient rest whioh is necessary to the efficient discharge of all the dutieß devolving upon them. It seems to us matter for regret that, according to the reports of the evidence lying before us, the Board did not go very deeply into this question. Probably, as the evidence waß unquestionable that a look-out had been maintained all through the night, and that Weston was walking backward and forwards,, presumably in the discharge of that particularly important funotion, it was held sufficient for all the purposes of the investigation. Nevertheless, the suggestion that the men on board the Company's steamers are overworked remains, and will probably rest in the minds of a considerable portion of the public. We do not desire by any means to convey that, although Webtoit was walking about, as seoond offioer Maloniy says, " attentive to bis duty/' he might all the time have been hall asleep; but we do affirm that in the general interest, it is important that officers and crews of ships trading on our dangerous coastß should be secured that proper rest which iB essential to the performance of their duties in a manner calculated to ensure the safety of their own lives, as well as the lives of others. Now, we place before our readers the evidence given by Mr Lindsay, the chief officer of the Tararua, in reference to the work done on board the steamer going down the coast on her last fa'-al 1 trip. For. the sake of clearness we depart from our usual practice of dipping the testimony from the published report, and will present the facts, as given, in a classified form. "Arrived at Lyltalton on the 26th about 12 o'olock. Left again about 7 at night. Having been engaged in discharging end taking in cargo in the meantime. Arrived at Port Chalmers about 4 o'clock in the afternoon of the following day— the 27th —and the men worked till 6 o'clook that night. Next morning they turned to at 7 and worked until they sailed, at 5 p.m. Tho officers were also at work all this time. Being at sea on the 27th until 4 o'clock in the afternoon afforded a rest for the crew, and wo had the night at Port Ohalmera. To Mr Shith : Neither the officers nor the crew oomplained of being overworked or fatigued before starting from Port Chalmers on the last voyage of the Tararua." Captains Underwood, of the Rotomahana; Ohatfibld, of the Ringarooma; Sinclair, of the Arawata; Mr Maloney, the second offioer of the Tararua ; able seamen, Thomas Diokson, Edward Johnson, Jambs Burnett, Charles Stewart, and Johx Weston were all before the Board of Enquiry and gave evidence ; but uot one of them were asked a question bearxngupon the effeot of the Company's manner of running their boats upon the officers and men in relation to their being overworked or unduly fatigued. We think we are justified in characterising this as a somewhat singular omission ; more especially after the question having been put to the first witness and an officer, it would naturally occur to direct it to some one of the crew, who after all were perhaps in a poeition to speak upon suoh a matter with better knowledge. However, the evidenoe given fortunately enables us to oolleot some information upon this eubjeot whioh, when classified, will enable our readers to judge for themselves. We hare the statement of the chief officer that, from 6 o'olock in the evening of the 27th until 7 o'olock in the morning of the 28 th, the crew rested. They resumed the work of discharging and taking in cargo at the latter hour, and worked till 5 o'clock in the afternoon. The Tararua left the Headß, the second officer testifies, at 5.40. Is it a justifiable presumption that the crew, who had been working from 7 a.m., would still have to work the steamer during the night, and bo ready to " turn to " discharging and loading after arrival at the Bluff, where the steamer was due in the early morning ? Probably the night boing calm they were all in their bunks enjoying the rest they had earned so well ; but we cannot help thinking that it would have been better to have had reliable testimony to the faot. If the night had been rough it is fair to presume that they would necessarily hava been required on deck. However, we do know wbat some of tbem were doing, and present the information in a tabulated • form as follows : — Wiu-e). Look-out. Dicxson ... From 6 till 8 From 2 till 4 Bukisbtt ... „8„ 10 „4 „ 5.1* Stbwaet ... „10 „12 Joiijtson ... „ 2 „ i „ 6 „ 8 Dak/. ... „ 4 „ striking Stewart relieved Danz at 5.1&, when be leff the helm to g'-t his < off ee. Mr Maloney says that, Weston was at tho wheel from 10 till 12, hut thia evidently is an error, for Stewart, is more likely to bo right upon lbo point, says that at that timo ha was there; probably Wkston filled tbe gap which appears at tho wheel from 12 till 2, but

'^tmtßmTmmaatmmitumm^amimmmaßUmaLiart wiipi ami mn be lays nothing on the subject, and we are left in ignorance. At nil events we have here five men u.uig four hours eaoh of very arduous and moat responsible night labour, and oertainly it is fair to suppose that they were far from being the only members of the crew out of their bunts engaged in working the Bhip. Now, wo think onr readers will agree that it would have been well to have had evidence as to whether these men had been occupied in hard work from 7 till 5 the previous day, and whether they were expected to aid in the work of discharging and loading when the Bluff was reached. If they were, and such is the usual practice, the wonder is — not that the Tararua was wrecked — but that numerous other casualties do not Occur. How can men reasonably be expected to take that 'lively, intelligent interest in the performance of their duties w-jen they are sinking with fatigue and overpowered by a desire for sleep. It is not improbable to thought that Weston walked np and down, "turning every half minute," in order to keep himself awake ! Our readers, however, have now tbe recollection of the rumour before them, and the evidence — all that there is — bearing upon an answer ; our regret is that the testimony npon a matter of snob importance is so j Tery meagre, but no doubt all who study it will have no difficulty in coming to a concluaion for themselves.