LOSS OF THE TAINUI

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 16, 14 October 1919, Page 4

LOSS OF THE TAINUI

THE NAUTICAL INQUIRY. By Telegraph—ess ..seoclation. Christchurchj October 13. •The nautical inquiry in connection with fte loss of thii Tainui was continued before a Court presided over by Mr. S. E. .M'Carthy, S.AI. John Buchanan iiay, engineer at the New Zealand Refrigerating Company's Wnngaiiui works, gave evidence as to the condition oi' the vessel at the time the insulation was carried out. Tile insulation was certainly airtight. s He had net. noticed the efl'ccl of the Saturation with oil of Oregon timber. It was an engineer's duty to rejiort the repairs necessary, wind witness had instructions to carry them out without reference to the head office. No complaints had been mado to him by tho captain or engineer of the Tainui as to fumes.from the leakage of benzine.

Robert Logan, seaman on the Tainui till March 28 last, gave evidence that he had heard nt Lyitelton that the Tainui was to load benzine for -Timnru. , He considered the vessel was not fit to e&rry benzine. He spoke to the captain, and Subsequently visited the office at .Chrislchtirch, where he made statements as to tho repairs rtqliired before the Tainui could be considered seaworthy. He had previously made complaints to the captain. The manager had offered him a bonus to make the trip, and the matters complained of would be attended to on his return, but witness rei tried, and was paid off next day with the crew, none of the deck hands being re-engaged. The deck, hands left the ship ad the result of a pro'.est regarding repairs. No lwat drill was done. William B. DoWnltaiu, a fireman, 1 formerly on the Tainui, gave evidence that when the benzine cargo was taken aboard'lie'did not go along the tunnel or into the bunkers with a naked light, as the fumes were too strong. Boat drill Inid been done twice while he was on tho vessel.