THE TAINUI DISASTER

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 12, 9 October 1919, Page 4

THE TAINUI DISASTER

FURTHER EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST. By Telegraph-Press Association. Christchurch, October 8. The inquest on the victims of the Tainui disaster was resumtu to-day. Frederick John Needham, manager of the coastal shipping of :he New Zealand Refrigerating Company, in his. evidence said it was part of his duty to see that tlio vfeel was kept in proper repair. The last inspection was Made on the occasion of the annual overhaul in March. The witness detailed the construction of the vessel. Continuing, Mr. Needhani said ho did not know at the timo of (be. survey that amended regulations were in , force requiring a certificate of fitnoss of a vessel to .carry petroleum. Tho Tainui had curried 30,000 cases of . benzine since March, 1917. Claude Ferrier, aiarire surveyor, who surveyed the oil cargo from the schooner Caroline, which was loaded into the Tainui, said the cargo could be described as normal, compared with o'her oil cargoes of recent years. Captain Wilcox, Acting Superintendent of Marine at Lyttellon, said , that, in v-on-sequeiice of a complaint on September 12. by Fireman Townsend as to benzine finding its way to the enginerooni, he ordered the bilgfs to be cleaned, arrt pumped out, and the benzine cargo in the.nflorhiitch discharged. When Hie cargo was taken out he examined Hie hold and found a hole, which was repaired. He informed Captain Cowan on September 15 that if there were any more signs of benzine in the bilges the boat would never carry benzine out of Lytteltoi , again. He also cautioned the master and mate against taking leaky cases. On Hk evening tint the Tainui sailed he went to the engineroom. Fireman Townsend said: "She'o all ripht now, go you needn't look." Witness said: "Thanks, but I want to satisfy myself." Captain Cowan then came into thb fiigineroom, and after an inspection witness was o.iiitc satisfied there wai , - ig benzine floating in tlio bilges ami l'ie "iigineroom was free from fumes.' Hr left ths boat qu.itc satisfied that i\t tiiiit time she was a safe sh'p. The Tainm suitable for carrying benzine, provided leaky -ttses ww nol taken in. The furnace was the 'krigerous point of the ship, ind he ('nought tho explosion was caused through bonrnc leaking and coming into eonta- 1 with the furnace or the aslip? None (it the crew complained to him. T".c Tainui was well found, and nil his requisitions had been complied with. Tie did not think the explosion took place in the enginoroom or the stokehold. 1£ the mate had superintended t>\e e-toring of tho ploughs, witness would I>° satisfied they woTe well storp'l. , ' The inquest was adjourned until tomorrow.