THE WRECK OF THE ESMERALDA.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXII, Issue 2631, 4 February 1868, Page 4

THE WRECK OF THE ESMERALDA.

ADJOUBNED OFFICIAL ENQUIEY.

The adjourned enquiry into this wreck was continued at the Kesident' Magistrate's Court House on Saturday morning.

John Kerr, recalled, and re-sworn, said that he refused Mr Lusher's offer, as he considered he was as fully qualified as him to run the ship ashore or sink her in thirty fathoms. He also was of opinion that he could not get into the harbor, and he did not know who Mr Lusher was. It would hare beon impossible to get into the harbor. Mr Lusher said he was in the Panama service, and did not say whether he was a soldier or a sailor, and witness did not ask him. He wanted to get assistance to go to Tahiti. He did not attempt to go to Tahiti after the men went ashore, because ho thought he would hang out for the night, and besides he had lost hands. While off Opara the water was continually bailed out.

Mr Pharazyn then adduced the following evidence on behalf of the captain. By Mr Pharazyn : The ship did not tack about as Mr Lusher has stated. Mr Lusher has made p great many mistakes in what he hns said. He never offered to take charge of the ship, and he is not a pilot. A vessel of 200 or 300 tons might get into the harbor, if she was in good order, but not the Esmeralda, especially when she was in a sinking state. The 1500 tons of cargo certainly could not have been put in the Chance and the Midas, which had to coal the steamer.

Charles Doile being sworn said in reply to Mr Phavazyn that the ship was unmanageable off Opara ; that if it had been in good order it would have been a hard job to fetch the harbor with the sea that wan on, and that he did not wish to be a better seaman than Captain Kerr. John McCallum, A.8., being sworn corroborated previous evidence. Mr Pharazyn then addressed the Court pointing out the inconsistency between Mr Lusher's evidence and that of Captain Kerr and other credible witnesses, and maintaining that the Captain had done everything to save life and property. The Court expressed itß opinion that Captain Kerr should have attempted to go into Opara harbor, and that in not doing so he showed want of promptitude, and they therefore adjudged him to be reprimanded, and cautioned him to bo more careful in future.