THE ENQUIRY CONTINUED.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 113, 7 November 1894, Page 2

THE ENQUIRY CONTINUED.

(PER PEESB ASSOCIAIONi. Auckland, November 6 The chief officer of the "Wairarapa, cross-examined, was asked was auy effort made to muster the female passengers and children. He replied " Yes ; but they were kept outsido the barrier enclosing the boats. Asked if steps were taken to get them into the boats he said " The boats except two were broken. When we got these afloat there were no people left. It was too dark to see them even if they had been there." The chief mate, replying to questions, said it is possible some passengers may not havo got out of their cabins and may be there still. He had never heard of the captain taking opium or other sedatives. The chief officer continued his evidence and said that on Suudaj' evening the captain told him in response to enquiry that he intended to slow down in the vicinity of the Hen and Chickens. "Witness considered it advisable tq slow down then, but did not go to the captaiu, beoause it was not his watch on dock, also beoause he had every confidence \n the captain's judgment. The atoamer would have gone a mile before they could bring her up if they found themselves going ashore. The surf might perhaps be heard half a mile , off but on the steamer one could not hear it fifty yards away owing to the heayy sea. It was impossible to get people away from the vicinity of the bridge to the rigging when the ship heeled over. Most of the people slipped away and went over the side. Thompson, carponter, in his evidence, said the pinnaco and mail boat only lived through the sea. The last boat drill was six months ago. The boats were overhauled ou Friday before the acei Jent when the njriniijg goar was all dglit. His bqat smashed as scqh as iowpred. He helped to get out No. 4, but was washed overboard. Ho climbed back aud got out No. i, which wa.s stovg }n and ultimately foe wa.s rescued in. No, 5 boat, They had no women and child, ron on board. Duriug the whole time lie did not hoar any order given to keep tho men back and save the boats for the women aud children. Tho last order he got from the captain* was to get out the boats and do the best for the passengers. At the inquiry today the third officer (Johnston) stated between nine and ten o'clock he asked tho captain if he did not think they were a long way outside the Poor Knights. Ho saifj they werq qiijte clo^q enough tq thejui and/ might see them auy minute on the starboard. At' 11.15 ho asked the captain when he was going to slow down. He said the ship was all right and to keep a sharp Iqok out tor Mqko Hiww ljght PU. the poyfc side seaward. Ho sajd he had norfect confidence iv his course. "Witr ness asked permission to blow the foghorn, but tho Qaptalq said it would only frighten tho passougers. Several more witnosscs have been subpoenaed. The crew will probably be detained here till the enquiry closes. This Day. The Third Officer was examined. lie could not account for tho alteration in the course. Never knew tho Captain tq tquqh opinin m' morphia, or to have ever shown the effects of liquor. Had no roasou to believe that tho Captain's mind had giveu way under pressui-o of auy sort. Between 11 aud 12 p.m. witness told the Captaiu tho ship was lodging 11 knots. The Captain said it was ridiculous ; she cou{4 uqt bo tjoiiig \f