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Waikato Argus, Volume XXIII, Issue 3538, 24 July 1907, Page 2

After a very lengthy inquiry as to the cause of the wreck of the Kia Ora, on June 13th, the Court of Nautical Inquiry has given a very voluminous decision. The Court is of opinion that the course set by the captain was safe and correct. This exonerates him of any blame. Th question then arises as to what error, negligence, or unforeseen natural cause led to the disaster. It was suggested that a defective compass or unusual current may have been the cause. The Court, however, points out that there is no evidence that the compass was out of order; on the contrary, the evidence given is to the effect that it was working satisfactorily. As to the set of the current, the Court is of opinion that the evidence does not justify the conclusion that, in a run of 35 miles, the current would carry the vessel so far from her course. Presuming that these opinions are correct, there is only one other conclusion to be arrived at—that the blame rests with those who were on duty, more particularly the officer in charge of the deck and, in a lesser degree, with the steersman and the look-out. A great deal of contradictory evidence was given as to whether the chief officer (de Wolfe) was intoxicated and, in consequence, unfit to have charge of the vessel. On this point the Court finds that, in their opinion, he was somewhat intoxicated when he look over the watch from Capt. Blacklock at 10 p.m. As to whether de Wolfe had drunk more liquor after leaving Waitara, the Court says that, on this point, perjury had been committed, either by Cavanagh, the chief steward, fie Wolfe and Baggstrom. In support of the suggestion of drunkenness, evidence was given that de Wolfe had been previously' disrated, and later dismissed for drunkeness. Whether intoxicated or not may be doubtful; but the evils clear that de Wolf between 10 and 12 o’clock had been away from the bridge for some period, and had placed the“ look out” on the bridge How long he was absent is doubtful, but that he was absent he confesses himself. It is manifest that the vessel got off her course during the two hours between 10 and 12, de Wolfe being during that time responsible for her proper steering. Those who have followed the evidence carefully can but arrive fit the conclusion that there was no other course open to the Court than that they have pur-

sued. The certificate of de Wolfe has been sent to the Minister for Marine, accompanied by the evidence; the discretion now rests in him either to suspend or cancel it. The costs of the inquiry are to be borne by do Wolfe and the Northern Shipping Company. The only pleasant duty | which fell to the Court was to accord | praise to the sailors who so pluckily and promptly went to the assistance 1 of the shipwrecked people. It is fitting that we should place their names on record. They are Constable McCarthy, Jack, Charles and Bob Willison, and Lane. The question of whether licenses should be granted to small passenger vessels running on the coast naturally arises out of the evidence. We are in dined to the opinion that very much stricter regulations as to its sale should be enforced. As far as practicable, no liquor should be served without the captain’s sanction, and the quantity dispensed be limited, so that drunkenness would be impossible.