THE KIA ORA WRECK.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2123, 4 July 1907, Page 2

THE KIA ORA WRECK.

THE NAUTICAL INQUIRY. Press Association. AUCKLAND, yestorduy. The Kia Ora enquiry was resumed at 10 o’clock this inh ruing. Mr. Mays, solicitor for the" Crown, asked

Joi an adjournment for two hours to await the arrival of the /witness Morris, who was at the wheel from 10 pm. to midnight on tho night of the disaster. Mr. Mays said later developments made it more essential than ever that this man|s evidence be taken as soon as possible. Mr.

Mava added: “The state of things is- almost indescribable, something fearful, and I am anxious to take tho evidence of Morris the first mmuto he arrives.” Mr. Mays said further ho wanted time to serve an amended notice of investigation - on behalf of the chief officer of the Kia Ora, and on the Northern Steamship

Company. The case was adjourned till 10.45 arm., by which time it was expected Morris would bo ready. Later.—The Kia Ora inquiry was resumed. Joseph Morris was closely questioned * whether he had. had a conversation with anyone concerning tbo wreck. Ho said lie had not until ho asked Mr. Kneen in Court if the

chief officer said he was off the bridge during the watch. This was followed by questions by Mr. Mays, solicitor, and Mr. Kettle, S.M V as to Morris sobriety. Morris replied that lie had ■ not drunk anything for a month, i Though warned of the .punishment , for perjury, Morris*, persisted in the [ statement that he had not spoken to

Kneen before lie came into Court. Morris was closely questioned whether ho had said that the chief officer loft the bridge at any time while lie was on watch. Morris replied that the chief officer left the bridge f9r a second or two. Korbes and Partridge came on the bridge, and the chief officer escorted ’ them to . the lower deck. Morris denied having told; two passengers, Taverny and Mclntosh, that he was in DeWolfe’s watch from 10 to 12, and that DeWolfo was off the bridge nearly two hours while witness was at the wheel. Morris was asked if Woolf© had

any drink on tlio day of the wreck, and replied : “Ho may have had two or -three glasses, but was not the worse for liquor. He was not halfdrunk.” Later lie said Wolfe’s conversation did not show he had been having any drink; and later said he noticed no signs of intoxication on Woolfe. Morris said he could not account for the Kia Ora getting into the position that caused the wreck.

CHARGE OF DRUNKENNESS.

CHIEF OFFICER INDICTED

HAPPENINGS ON THE BEACH

AUCKLAND, last night. After the evidence of Morris, the man at the wheel was taken, Mr. Earl suggested that Peterson, tlio chief steward, bo called. Mr. Mays: “He is going to be confronted with very serious allegations indeed and I will give him a chance of hearing them first.” Peterson then said he was quite pi epared to answer any questions put to him. He stated that the Kia Ora had no packet license. The bar was run under the comj)any’s rules, liquor being supplied by the company and witness -receiving a profit. On t-lie night of the wreck lie only opened the bar once, and as far as lie recollected only three passengers had drink. He did not serve any of the crew and did not remember serving any offiCC Mr. Mays: “AYill you swear there were no signs of liquor observable on De Wolfe when he went round for

the tickets.” Witness: “When you got me down to the police station, before the Inspector, and told me it I repeated the evidence I had given I would be charged with perjury.” Mr. Earl: “That is a most improper thing. Witnesses are being intimidated and told that they will be prosecuted for perjury.” Mr. Mays: “You are taking witness now as truth.” He explained that there had been no intimidation. At 11.30 p.m. on Saturday there suddenly came word from witness that De Wolfe was muddled with drink. As Peterson was the only man who had been asked about the sobriety of the crew, he therefore, as a favor to him, let him know the nature of the evidence he proposed to call and impressed upon him that he was liable to be charged with perjury if he adhered to his former statements. He was not in any way frightened or intimidated. Mr. Kettle: Has the interview caused you in any way to amend your statements?—Only that I would not swear jiositively that I did not serve any of the officers that night. One of the men I served might nave been an officer. Mr. Mays stated that the evidence of passengers whom he would call seemed to prov'e beyond all doubt that the chief officer was intoxicated a id was off the bridge 1 any time from 9.30 till midnight. All the witnesses, Mr. Mays continued, said Do Wolfe was drunk when he came for the tickets and was unfit to bo in charge of the ship. Some witnesses declared that on the boat Do Wolfe said, “I don’t know where 1 am, ! and I don’t know what to do.” He and Baggstrom got lost in the bush next day and when found by three passengers they did not recognise them, barefoot and battered as they were, as passengers, but told them the startling news that the Ivia Ora was wrecked. The story of what took place on the beach was a terrible indictment. The passengers got little of the food from Marakopa, One of the crew snatched a blanket from a half-clad woman and they made a shelter for themselves with it, leaving her out in the cold. An amended notice of investigation served upon the first officer, Mr. • B. De Wolfe, states that the following questions to be submitted to the Court: “Whether the loss of the said ship and tlier’consequent loss of life was not due directly or indirectly to gross acts of misconduct, drunkenness or default upon your part.” Thomas Cavanagli, of Marakopa, who was a passenger, said lie saw Do Wolfe staggering. He saw De Wolfe and Baggstrom in the saloon, the former with two bottles in liis hand and the latter with one. They were whisky bottles, and empty. They had them filled and started drinking. After the wreck witness found hansel. in the wgter on a bag of chaff. He got hold of the boat in which the others were, and heard a voice say, ‘You can’t get into this boat.” The

voice appeared to be that of the chief mate. There were then two dogs in the boat, and they were kept in it and landed. He was disgusted with the whole crowd. There was no fog at 11 o’clock, and none when the vessel struck.

His cross-examination was postponed at counsel’s request. Mr. Baggstrom (engineer): May 1 ask what religion this gentleman belongs to? The Magistrate: Yes. Mr. Baggstrom (to Cavanagh): AA’hat religion are you? AA’itness: Roman Catholic.

Mr, Baggstrom; How can you on your oath then swear to such ungodly lies ? _ The Magistrate said such a style of examination could not ho allowed.

In further reply to Mr. Baggstrom witness said he adhered to his statement to Peterson. Cavanagh said he gave him a bott-Io of whisky at AA'aitara. To the Bench witness said he was sober when he went aboard, and remained so the whole of the time.

Another passenger.. William McEarlan© Mclntosh, stated that De Wolfe was in a muddled state, and was in no condition to tako charge of the ship. The weather was not foggy when the vessel struck. Witness was afterwards taken into the boat. He saw Cavanagh swimming alongside, and De AVolfe told him not to get in. There were then two.dogs in the boat, and several protests were made about keeping them in. De AVolfe made no renlv, but Cavanagh was taken into the boat later. De AYolfo said on several occasions he did not know where he was, and could not find tho compass for a quarter of an hour. . Mr. Mays: Did Peterson speak to De AA’olfe ?

AA’itness: No, bnt I heard him say, “I said to myself as soon as she struck that’s Do Wolfe.”

Mr. Mays: Did the crew offer the women and children shelter after landing? AATtness: No, they were not asked for it. One ladv was in the shelter, and my wife and Mrs. Cavanagh were out in the open all night. Mr. Mays: Have yon any fault to find with the provisions ? AA’itness: Yes; we had a terrible hardship; the boat was not properly provisioned at all.

The inquiry was adjourned till 2.15 tc-morrow.