THE TE AROHA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2053, 13 April 1907, Page 3

THE TE AROHA.

AUCKLAND, yesterday. The inquiry into the loss ol the steamer To Aroha was continued yes

t onlay. Henry Wetherilt, Government surveyor, in continuing his evidence, said that lie did not make a declaration that the Te Aroha was. fit to be taken from Auckland, via the North Cape, to the Waikato river, The only declaration was that the vessel was fit to trade on the !\Vai-

kato rivor, and nothing else. Mr. Kettle: Did you say that tho vessol would have to be “nursed” ?

I did not stato that. It was only a matter of advico. Sho did tho voyage years ago, and I beliovo she was in a bettor condition now than then. My experience has made mo very cautious, nml a man in my position lias to bo cautious.

Would you lot her go again? Yes, I would take her myself. Any yachtsman would have gloried in taking tho vessel round tlio coast. The vessol should have boon “nursed.” Sho was fully equipped in accordance with tho regulations. Edward Aloxandor Alison, .superintendent engineer to tho Devonport Ferry Co., said he received verbal instructions for repairs to be carried out to tho To Aroha. They consisted of repairs to tho hatches, skylights, caulking of tho hull abovo tho coppering, in ono placo in the bow. They renewed about Jit ol the planking. All the other portions of the vessel woro carofully examined and found all right. Tho caulking was hard and firm all round when tho vessel 101 l the Company’s yards. He believed tho boat was thoroughly seaworthy and fit to proceed round the North Capo to tlio Waikato in ordinuiy woathor. Tho To Aroha had been lying in tho Company’s yards about eight years. The vessel took ill six or seven inches of water the first 20 hours sho was in tho water, but tins gradually lessened on subsequent days. The pump and injector attached to the engine pumped the vessol out. On the second day after launching tho To Aroha only gamed about half as much water as on tlio first day. Mr. Hanna: In view of what lias happened do you consider tlio vessel was seaworthy? Yes, certainly. Tho only way that he could account for the pump being choked up with coal was the water washing tho coal through the door of the bunker. Captain Micham, recalled, said tho steam was practically useless after the To Aroha passed Capo Rodnoy. For threequarters of an hour at a time they, did not get any steam at all. The whole trouble occurred through tho under-portions of the paddle boxes giving way and letting the water in. If the engineer had ‘kept up steam lie would have kept nearer tho‘shore. He would even then have had difficulty in keeping the vessel afloat, as she was making water fast. William Pearson, fireman on the Te Aroha, said tho stanchions supporting the bunkers collapsed, and he found the.wood was rotten. The coal was washed on one side and ga\ e the vessel a list. The inquiry was then adjourned till this morning. At the Te Aroha inquiry to-day George Lee said when he went aboard to start the fires the steam jacket cover leaked all round the spiing valve. - The cover could not bo depended on. The seat of the valve leaked very badly. There were four inches of water in the stoke hold plate when the fires were lit the first time. The timber of the coal bunkers was very rotten. He mentioned these matters to the engineer, and told him they were too bad to leave port with. Henry AVotherilt, recalled, said ho did not call any qualified shipwright to assist him in surveying the vessel’s hold, having 12 years experience himself in dealing with wooden vessels. He still said the vessel was fit to be taken from Auckland to Waikato.

THE OWNER TO BLAME.

AUCKLAND, last, night

Tho inquiry into the wreck of the Te Aroha concluded to-day. The Court in its decision commented on the fact that the provisions of the Shipping and Seamen’s Act had not been complied with in regard to the survey of the vessel, no certificate or interim certificate having been issued as stipulated. The Court suggested an amendment of the Act to allow these certificates to be issued at Auckland, instead of from Wellington, also to provide that a surveyor in the case of wooden vessels should engage the services of a competent shipwright. The Court found that the vessel was unfit to undertake the vojage from Auckland to Waikato, the repairs effected being insufficient. The owner (Mr. Hallett) was held responsible, the Court considering that he should have got a certificate before the vessel left, and he was ordered to pay the costs of the inquiry. The Court found that no blame was attachable to the captain and crew, and their certificates were returned.