LOSS OF THE WIMMERA

Waikato Times, Volume 89, Issue 13817, 11 July 1918, Page 5

LOSS OF THE WIMMERA

A SURViVCS INTERVIEWED. IIISCitRPANT N!!'i"-: STitl «.K. rnil.-il Press A-.--c:ati..n i Ueceivi d .iul\ 1' '■' i ! am Si i MA. .lul\ 10. Mr W. I'. Sedgebeer, a Wmimera sur vivor. in a press int. mow. impresses the npiniiiti Dial niil> persons having legitimate husim ss shmild be allnwed t,i travel either mi the Australian enasl ur across the Pacific in war time, (in his trip both l:i New Zealand iinil returning to Australia the ni;«i«»ril> of the saloon passi tigers were m|,| men and soiii" cbihlren. ijuib a miml »" passenu. rs wen Loin- .: mi New Zealand to see whether Heseit Hold or RiplaiH' was the fasier animal. Ii nsiders it little short of scandalous that persons unable In look after ihemsolv, s in the event of an accident should be allowed to travel at sea when their only object was pleasure. In view of the experiences on the Winmterj, lie suggests that all the exits on ships should be lighted similar to those in theatres, as under the existing conditions as soon as the engine-room is flooded the ship is thrown into darkness: also that as soon as a vessel n aeh> s her destination the lifeboats should be thoroughly overhauled. He allies t|. i( the. boat he had to take to when the accident happened carried no chocolates, and the water was very brackish. Valuable time was lost in knocking the wooden covers from the lifeboats. He always understood that the covers had to be removed as soon as the ship sailed. Mr Sedgebeer makes a complaint in respect to the treatment (he passengers received in Auckland at the hands of lite oflicials.

STATUE NTS DENIED. AUCKLAND. Thursday. The Mayor (Mr Gnnson). replying to the above statement, says it is absolutely incorrect both as concerns the treatment of the survivors in the North : ".d at Auckland.