THE KIA ORA WRECK.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2127, 9 July 1907, Page 3

THE KIA ORA WRECK.

THE NAUTICAL INQUIRY. Press Association. AUCKLAND, Yesterday. When tins Kia Qro inquiry was resumed, Morris, who was at- the wheel during the first watch, made voluntarily the following statement:“When I came from Onehungn I was taken ‘to Mr. Mays’ office. From what Mr. Mays said to me I understood tho mate had confessed he was drunk. 1 cannot tell the proper words ho said, and also that: the chief steward has committed perjury and wanted to confess he served the mate with drink.” Mr Mays, counsel representing the Crown, interjected: ‘'That is absolutely untrue. If the Court will give me an opportunity 1 will deny it. on oath.” , , , Pressed to state the exact words used by Mr. Mays, Morris said he could not do’so, but repeated what he had previously said, and added j Then Mays says: ‘‘No sailor tricks, tell ns all von know about it. I said the mate was not drunk ; that lie might have had a couple of glasses in hull, tint, not more.” Morris, answering Mr. Mays, said he had not made this statement when previously examined because it did not occur to him till after ho had heard Peterson’s statement. regarding a conversation with Air. Mays. Samuel Campbell Pratt, laborer, of Araniolio, Wanganui, a passenger by the Kia Ora. expressed the opinion tliat De Wolfe was under the influence of liquor, and said this opinion had generallv prevailed among the passengers. Win. Dtinning, fireman, said De Wolfe was not drunk. There was nothing abnormal about his condition. He had a peculiar walk, however, swaying from time to time.