WAIRARAPA DISASTER.

Waikato Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 3490, 6 November 1894, Page 5

WAIRARAPA DISASTER.

Ul' to the last advices (stays yesterday's Herald) the bodies of 5G victims in the Waicarapa disaster have been recovered, and also 94 out of 100 bags of mails. The search for the dead is still proceeding. Tl'.e magisterial inquiry into the cause of the casualty opens to-day, at 10.30 a.m., in the Stipendiary Magistrate's Court, before Mr Northcrnft, S.M., and two nautical assessors. Mr Alexander Rose, Collector of will probably conduct the case for the Marine Department personally, and will call about 30 witnesses. The inquiry will thus, in all likelihood, be a prolonged one. Mr Hugh Campbell, of Russell and Campbell, will represent the Union S.S. Company. On Saturday.Messrs Russell and Campbell, the solicitors of the Union Company, were busily engaged during the day in taking' down the evidence of the officers and crew, which will be given at the inquiry which opens to-day. _. In alt the town churches on Sunday feeling references were made to the appalling disaster to the Wairarapa, The Rev. Canon Calder referred especially to the heroism displayed by the stewardesses, which, he thought, deserved to be specially put on record. Subscription lists in aid of the sufferers are being opened generally throughout the colony. The Hamilton Light Infancy Band, will play selections opposite Mrs Gwynne's Hotel on Srturday evening nex', when a subscription will be taken up in aid of the Wairarapa Relief Fund. MAGISTERIAL ENQUIRY.

[by telegraph.-own correspondent!. Auckland, Last Night.

Tho magisterial enquiry commenced today before Mr W. If, Northcroft, S.M., and Captains Clayton and Andrews, assessors. Solicitors represent the Crown, the Union Company, tho surviving officers, friends of victims, and the deceased captain. Mr Theo. Cooper for the Collector of Customs, stated that sixteen officers and twelve passengers would give evidence. He explained that they were not prosecuting anyone, but referred to the importance of eliciting the whole truth. He also commented upon tho fact that only one child had been saved and no mother with young children was rescued. He spoke eulogistically regarding the heroic conduct of the stewardesses and stewards in trying to savo life and stated the evidence would show that some of them might have 3aved their lives but lost them assisting passengers and one stewardess actually gave up the means of safety to a passenger.: As far as ■ the 'conduct of, the ship's officers was con w cerned he preferred not to say anything until the facts were ascertained, There were rumours which made it necessary to consider whether or not there was sufficient discipline maintained. The evidence of Mr Moyes, first officer, went to show that after sighting the North Cape at twenty minutes to eight on Sunday morning, the ship proceeded on her course at full speed through a heavy fog. Sometimes they coulclnotlaiae, a' mile ahead, at best 'only about two iiiiles., JuJging from the log, which He considered' accurate, the Wairarapa was! abreast"of. Cape Brett at^d;^Afc ;> B^p^iriFthe s evening on Sunday he was relieved, but did not turn in, feeling anxions till lUO;, During the day the captain was .nearly" always on the bridge. The officers consulted with him on theadvisableness 1 of slackening the speed of the vessel. He replied that he would go as far as the Hen and Chickens, and then slow down. At 10 p.m., when witness estimated the ship was abreast of these islands, the captain did not slow down as he had promised all the officers asked .him to blow the fog horn but ha refused as he said it would disturb the passengers.

In reply to Mr Cooper, the officer said that the provision of article 13, to the effect that aishipshould slow down ma fog was not complied with, After the vessel struck he jumped from his berth and went on deck and helped with othtrsto R3t' the boats launched, but' only succeeded in the case of two. After this he went to the captain, who was.alone on the bridge, and asked him where he thought the vessel was. He replied: "On the Hen and Chickens," and said goodbye to; witness android" him to Rave himself. Witness said he would rather ( stay, but the captain ordered him forward, so he went with the purser and hong nearly all night to the fore rigging with the seas breaking over them. The rigging was full of people and he being cramped crawled over them and sat on the cross trees. Witness saw nothing of the Captain when the bridge went, he reckoned that they passed : Moko* hinau light at eleven o'clock, they must have been seven or eight miles outside Mokohinau, when they passed it, they, did not*see it though they searched often for the light from both bows. ''