The Wairarapa Disaster.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 135, 4 December 1894, Page 2

The Wairarapa Disaster.

THE ENQUIRY. (Per Press Association 1 Auckland, December 3. Mr Cooper, solicitor for the Crown, addressing the Court at the Wairarapa inquiry, thought all were agroed that the primary cause of the casualty was the recklessness of the captain. Whether that recklessness was due to the effect of influenza or other causes, the fact remained that if Captain Mclutosh was alive it would bo his (Cooper's) duty to ask the Court to cancel his certificate on the ground of recklessness, want of caro in going through fog at full-speed, and not taking precautions which commended themselves to bis most junior officers, the result being such as would render the captain liable to bo prosecuted for manslaughter had he survived. Mr Button, for the friends of the deceased Captain, admitted the Captain had not taken proper precautions, but with his reputation for carefulness these did not amount to recklessness. Mr Cotter, on behalf of the officers, held that the evidence of the officers showed they did all they could after the wreck, while the Captain beiug on the bridge up to the time of the casualty relieved them of the responsibility. Mr Campbell, for tho Union Company, submitted that the two alterations in the course at 10 aud 10.30 showed the Captain was under the impression that he was near the Poor Knights. Everything pointed to the ship being carried beyond her E.S.E. course and the discipline of the men and boats was all that could be desired, but for tho vessel's list the boats could have been launched all right. Mr Northcroft said that the Assessors and he would go through the evidence, and inform counsel when they were ready to deliver their finding.

(Per Press Association). Wellington, December 3 At a meeting of the relief committee it was decided to make this the central distributing point except for Auckland aud Dunediu. This is done with the consent of contributors. All persons considering themselves enI titled to participation in tho fund are invfted to forward their claims before tho 12th instant. Six of the survivors were examined this morning and immediate relief accorded to three. Dunedin, Decembor 3. Messrs Williamson and Musgrave have I given £50 to the Wairarapa fund.