THE TE AROHA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2052, 12 April 1907, Page 3

THE TE AROHA.

Press Association. AUCKLAND, yesterday. At the inquiry into the foundering of tho wooden paddle steamer To Arolia (50 tons), off AVliangarei Heads on April Ist, the evidence showed that the vessel was bound from Auckland to AVaikato river, North Cape, and that she was leaking badly off Point Rodney. Air. L. Alays (instructed by the Crown Solicitor) appeared for tho Collector of Customs, and Air. J. Mills and Air. A. Hanna appeared for Mr. E Hallett, owner of the vessel. Captain AYm. Thomas Mincham, master of tho Te Arolia, said that the vessel leaked badly when off Cape Rodney, and sail had to bo used tor propulsion as well as for keeping her steady. She continued to make water until the fireman was washed off his feet. The seams under the sponsons had opened up. He had a fore trysail and staysail set, and tried to make AVliangarei harbor. Steam was no longer-available. He made an examination of the vessel when nearing AVliangarei Heads, and found some of the seams of the covering board on the deck had opened so wide that one’s hand could have been thrust in. This was caulked as well as could bo done in the circumstances. The vessel had a heavy list to port. The coal was washed out of the starboard bunker and soon afterwards tho valve of tho dock pump broke. He was not warned that- the vessel would require “nursing.” Everything in the shape of equipment complied with the

Act. The Te Arolia was built for river trade only. Sho was not insured. AVhilo the sea was smooth the pumps could keep her free, but when there was a little sea the scams opened out and tho water rushed in. Air. Kettle: You consider, in short, that the ship was unscaworthy, and that tho repairs' said to have been done were not done?—That is so. AVere you guided by the account for repairs, and that certain work was there charged for?—AA’c assumed that it had been done. AA 7 c went solely on that. I should never have gone to sea in her had I suspected that the repairs had not been effected. Georgo Toe, engineer of the Te Aroha, said the enginer were all right when he wont on board. There was four inches of water in the boat, alongside the boilers, when the Te Aroha left Auckland. She made about an inch an hour after ''leaving Auck-

land in smooth water. There were no pumps attached to the engine, but all depended upon the deck pumps. There was on injector on board, but it coukl not have been used as a pump, for there was not sufficient steam. When he resumed his watch the fireman was standing in a pool of water. The hand pump on deck had been in use, but it had broken down. Their buckets were used to bale her out.

Air. Kettle: Had-the pumps not broken down could you have kept her afloat?—Witness: Well, the coal dust floating about clogged the pump, and broke the valve. Had the puriip not broken she could have been kept afloat long enough to have been beached. The water ran all down the sides of his bunk. He did all lie could with the engines to keep her afloat, oven using kerosene lor the fires when the rising water put out the burning coal. If the account of repairs stated that the feed pump was new, that would not be true ?—The pump was not new. Alex. Alison, manager of the Devonport Steam Ferry Company, said his company bought the Te Arolia in 1896. Ho paid £340 for her. She was run on the harbor for one summer, and was laid up in 1897. There were several inquiries for her, but she remained on the slip until sold to the present owners. Once, a year ago, she was put into thorough repair in order to run for towing oil the Thames river. Prior to that his company thought of breaking ber up. She was sold to Mr. E- Hallett, of Mercer, for £l5O, as she was, .with all faults, the company undertaking to give licr a coat of paint on top. The surveying engineer was to say what was required to be done, and the company would do it at Mr. liallett’s charges. Witness did not per-

sonally superintend the repairs, hut his soil superintended tho work, ihc To Aroha was seaworthy, but slic required “nursing.” Edward Hallett, owner of tho Te Arolia, said lie gave Mr. Alison ail absolutely free hand as to repairs, undertaking to pay the cost. Henry Wothcrilt, Government' surveyor, said he liad inspected the Te Aroha five times. Mr. Kettle: Did you, in ordering repairs to he done, comply with section 7 of the Board of Trade regulations, which provides for notice to te in writing?—Witness: No, all was done verbally. We never give

notice in writing except in obstinate cases. We work under the Board of Trade regulations ns a guide. Do you keep any records of tho necessary repairs?—No. Ur. Mays: Did you follow the usual custom?—Witness: Yes. Witness gave the Court particulars

of the repairs he had ordered to bo done. He ordered a new feed pump. This pump was not new, but was a good pump. Air. Kettle: The account for repairs says it was a new'‘pump. Continuing, witness said lie had inspected the hull, the boimr, and machinery. He saw the covering boaid which was said to have been defective. The vessel was then on the slip. A little over 3ft 6in of water was pumped into the vessel to test the bottom for tightness. There was one small leak along the garboard strako about 12ft from the stem, on the port side, but the copper was taken off, the seam re-caulked and reslieatlied. The ship was cleared on the declaration of witness that he had completed the survey. He completed his survey on Alarch 28th, and the steamer sailed on March 31st. Air. Kettle: When did you wire to Wellington for a permit lor this vessel to sail? Witness: The day before the ship foundered. How do you account for that delay?—The holidays intervened, and I suppose the press of work was responsible as well. Under what authority do you give that declaration to the Collector of

Customs?—lt has always boon done. It’s tho usual custom to expedite clearances.

So that any steamship can proceed to sea wiliout tho Act being complied with ?—Yes, if the Alinister orders it. Continuing, witness said tho captain of tho To Aroha wanted to take full advantage of the fine weather, and that was why" witness assisted him. Under the Act of 1577 interim certificates could bo issued. Air Alays: That is not the law, but it is the fact?—Yes. Air. Kettle: But the Act lias boon repealed. AA’o are not going to work under that. Air. Mays asked witnoss if it wore not the case that tho surveyor issued interim certificates?

Witness replied that it was, but in a case of special urgency like this a tologram was sent. Is not that, portion of the Act relating to the survey of ships practically unworkable in many instances? —A’es, because it often means expensive and unnecessary delay ponding tho receipt of the certificate of survey from AVollington. AA’ero you satisfied with tho seaworthiness of this vessel ?—Yes, she was soaworthy, and fit to undertake that voyage by nursing, but not to be put to sea in rough water, and let the seas be away under her paddle boxes. Can you account for the vessel opening up and making water as she did ?—AA’itnoss said the sea which the To Aroha met with was obviously too heavy for her. The inquiry was adjourned until tomorrow.

AUCKLAND, last night. The inquiry into the wreck of the To Aroha was continued to-day. Mr. Wothorilt-, continuing his evidence, said he did not make a declaration that tho steamer was fit to go round North Capo, hut only that sho was fit to trade in the AVaikato river, lie thought the vessel was fit to go round the Cape, but she should have been “nursed.” Edward Alex. Alison, engineer to tho Ferry Company, who supervised the repairs to the vessel, said lie believed slie was seaworthy and fit to go round the Capo in ordinary weather. Captain Minclmm, recalled, said that practically no steam was available after passing Cape Rodney. William l’earson, a fireman on tho Te Aroha, said that the stanchions supporting the bunkers collapsed and tho coal washing on one side gave the vessel a list. The inquiry was adjourned until tomorrow.