The Wreck of the Wairarapa.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 124, 21 November 1894, Page 2

The Wreck of the Wairarapa.

THE ENQUIRY. (PEB TRESS ASSOCIATION) j Dunedik. November 20. < James Mills, general manager of the ] Union Company, was examined to-day. He said the Company threw ou captains i the whole responsibility of enforcing the j officers' regulations, while the marine j superintendent was responsible for captains doing their duty. Regulation '24 ; provided that the lead should be used ( on the coast in foggy •weather, and the ship's head turned if the soundiugs suggested the slightest doubt, and progress stayed until the exact positiou of the vessel was ascertained. In all breaches of regulations witness held a formal enquiry. So far as he knew there was rarely any cause to inquire into tho conduct of captains in foggy weather. They heard of fogs from masters in the ordinary way, an explanation was accepted and no questions asked. There had been an instance within the last six months of one of the steamers during thick squally woatber being found rather close to laud, and the Captain was reprimanded. Witness said that had tho the Wairavapa arrived safely last trip, the Captain would have reported the fog, aud an explanation would have been demanded as to driving tho ship at full speed through it. The probable result would havo been that he would have been cautioned. The Company regarded Captain Mclutosh as an exceediuyly en refill officer. He emphatically denied that gratuities were awarded masters to establish records. Only once that was done when the master and chief engineer of the Mararoa were awarded i'2o each for doing sixteen knots when Hutldart Parker's large steamer was in the trade. Captains received half-yearly bonuses for safo navigation. Those amounted from £1600 to il7oo. No captain was ever reprimanded for taking precautions in a fog. Captain Mclutosh could not possibly have imagined that the Tasmania might overtake him, as he knew she was at least two days behind him. Ho produced books to show that there was no bonus or gratuities for rapid passages. Regulation 3'J expressly prohibited racing steamers. The Company's ships always did their best in a prudent niauuor, and of course tho Company would not discourage that, but it was the eugiucers who got the credtt at all times for good passages, not tho Captain. The Captain was uovor blamed for exercising proper caution, and besides the regulations necessary for prudenco were personally impressed on them. On two occasions Captain Mclutosh ran into a wharf, and on another occasion he fouled a vessel in Hobson's Baj' for which he forfeited his gratuity. Wo could not discourage our vessels doing their bess. It is tho engineers who get the credit at all times for good passages, and not the captain. Apart from tho printed instructions opportunity is taken to impress upon the masters personally that risks must not be run. Captain Cameron's evidence- was to tde effect that ho always reported a serious broach of the regulations to Mr Mr Mills. He had no means outside tho Captain's report of knowing of breaches of regulations, though ho sometimes heard from passengers or other sources, aud made enquiry. Both witnesses will bo further examined on Thursday. Auckland, November 20 Frasor, engine greaser, was recalled, and gave evidence as to launching the boats, the conduct of the officers, and the means taken to save life. Thos. Henderson, local manager of the Union Company, said he was satisfied, from statements made to him, there were no other survivors than those of which he had been informed by Captain Johnston, of the Argyle. Moyes, chief officer of the Wairarapa, made a general statement that whilst in the rigging aud on tho rocks he saw people floating seaward ou a raft. Ho gave corroborative evidence as to no racing instructions beiug given to masters to make fast passages, and being rebuked for being behind time. Johnston, third officer, re-called, explained the matter of tho piece of paper which had been found. He had written it to replenish his memory, but it would be utterly impossible to prick off on a chart the oourso of the ship from information thereon. This closed Mr Cooper's evidence. Mr Cotter will to-morrow re-examine the remaining officers on their own behalf. Wellington, November 20. At a meeting of the Wairarapa relief committee, the chairman and treasurer were authorised to relieve cases of urgent necessity, pending consideration of the method of finally dealing with the fund. A committeo was also appointed to deal with the distributions. The Wairarapa relief fund now amounts to .£1321.