THE ELINGAMITE WRECK.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 703, 24 December 1902, Page 3

THE ELINGAMITE WRECK.

THE PURSER'S SIDE OF THE STORY. By Tolcgvaph—Press Association. Auckland, last night. At the Elingaraito enquiry Peter Inncs, a motorman, deposed that thoro wero 11 men in tho purser’s boat, and they wore constantly bailing to cope with tho soas .shipped and tho leak. A man on tho raft asked to bo taken off in the boat. The purser replied that ho would take tho stewardess, but she did not seem anxious to leave tho ratt. If there had been any anxiety on her part she would have been transferred. Ho did not hear Wetherilt speak about a rope or towing tho raft. They told tho rafts to follow them. They could not go alongside as they would havo been swamped. This witness gave a new statement in regard to the missing boat. Ho said they passed it in tho afternon. It scernod very full, having probably 40 people aboard. Tho purser spoke to tho third mate, who said ho intended to try to roach Maria, and was vory confident of success. Ho understood that tho purser asked the third mate for provisions, and tho latter replied that the captain had provisions. Witness denied having stated to Captain Rcicl that the third mnto answered uncivilly when ho was asked for, provisions. DIFFICULTY IN GETTING THE BOATS OUT. B 7 Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, last night.

At tho Elingamito enquiry Andrew Bosio stated that there seemed to bo somo difficulty in getting the boats out. Witness ovontually got on ono of tho rafts. They aHkcd tho purser to take tho stewardess aboard his boat, but tho purser cttllod back, as woll as witness could understand, that tho boat was leaking, and therefore ho was unablo to take her. Tho onginoer, recallod, explained that tho hammoringmontionod by Mr Wethorilt was caused by tho plug being hammered into tho overflow pipo. Witnoss put tho spannor on tho feed-cock to turn it. No wodgos had boon usod at all.