TAINUI DISASTER

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 23, 22 October 1919, Page 6

TAINUI DISASTER

TEE NAUTICAL INQUIRY. By Telegraph—Prosi A««oct»tiun. Christchurch, October 21. At the inquiry into the loss of the steamer lainui, Mr. llood, 6hipß surveyor continued his evidence. He said the ploughs in the Tainui s bold rested on white pine caso wood, and if they rested on the vertical end of the case it would be of ample strength to hold them. If the ploughs shifted the cases would probably lie injured or broken. . . Captain Wilcox, Assistant-Superintend-ent of Marine, gave evidence that the master and mnte were cautioned against taking leaky cases of benzine. Witness was not present during the loading, fto complaint, had reached him regarding (-he condition of the cases. He visiteu the shin after loading had been completed The hatches had been battened down, ready for sea- There wus nullum: to indicate that thern was leaky benzine about. AVitness hud a look it,unit and into the bilges where possible. There were no signs of benzine, and he did not smell fumes. Mr. Dannond, K.C.. for the Marine Department, announced that he du. not intend to vail any more evidence except that of Nolan, a waterside, worker, who was lending the gang loading tho I nnnn on September 15. His evidence will be taken at the hospital to-movrow. Counsel for the Vacuum Oil (lompany and the Hefrigerating Company announced that they intended to lead some evidence. . , The president intimated that the Court would not visit the wreck, as information wns to hand Hint no part of the bulkhead remained intact.