THE BLENHEIM TRAGEDY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8748, 9 October 1906, Page 3

THE BLENHEIM TRAGEDY.

INQUEST ON THE VICTIMS. EXPRESSIONS OF SYMPATHY. THE FUNERAL. [Per Press Association.! BLENHEIM, October 9. The inquest on the victims of the launch accident commenced this morning. The evidence so far taken, that of George Patcnett, owner of the Maritana launch, and W. Chant, seaman, who was acting as steersman, elicited nothing further of importance. The evidence showed tliat there is no need for registration of.-- oil launches of less tonnage than five tons, neither need there- be any limit to the number of passenger© to be carried. There is no Harbour Board governing the rivers. No certificate of any eort has been required to drive or steer such boats." For a year past many such trips had been -made without the slightest mishap. They never carried any life-saving apparatus except in running out to eea. Chant, who produced a certificate of marine service, said he considered the railing (iron piping) not strong enough. As it , happened, however, the launch would probably not have righted itself had the railing not broken, entailing a wonse catastrophe. The jury are visiting the spot to view the submerged' stump before continuing the -evidence. Expressions of sympathy have been received by the Mayor of Blenheim from the Premier, the Hon. C. H. Mills, M.H.R., the Mayor of Kaiapoi and others. The public funeral to-morrow will probably have a military character on account of the man Nash, who was an ex-Victorian, contingenter.