THE KIA ORA WRECK.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2131, 13 July 1907, Page 2

THE KIA ORA WRECK.

THE NAUTICAL INQUIRY. A LADIE’S STATEMENT. A BESTIAL INCIDENT. Press Association. AUCKLAND, last night. . The following affidavit by Mrs. Cavauagli was read at the Kia Ora inquiry this afternoon (all evidence is now taken and counsel addresses will j,e triven to-morrow morning):—‘ I, Johannah Cavanagh, of Kawhia, married ffomn, make eatk. and say7l am a married woman residing in Kawhia. My husband and.l were aboard the Kia. Ora when wrecked. I have not read my husband’s evidence given at the inquiry. When the Kia Ora struck I was in bed. 1 did not know what danger I was in. 1 was thrown out of bed and got back again. My husband then came and told me not to be afraid. He told me he would get his boots and come back for me. He took me out oi the cabin and on deck, at tlie same time helping Airs. Cox up the steps. My husband then got Air. Pratt to get a life belt and my husband put the life belt round me and wc went up to the bridge. I saw men trying to lower a big boat and somebody told the women to go around to the other boat. I went to the other boat and my husband put me in it. Some body threw a blanket after me. Mrs. Cox was put in after me. Then two of the sailors got in and then other ladies were put in. After we had pulled a short distance away I saw part of the Kia Ora go down. I could see land all tho time. After part of the Kia Ora went down I saw' my husband run forward on tlie part of the boat that was stilt out of tlie water. Soon after that the Kia Ora disappeared. De Wolfe was in our boat holding a light and giving orders. The first thing we picked up was a liver and white, dog. Just as we picked up the dog I heard Captain Blacklock call out, “Bring the boat, De Wolfe.” “It’s no use talking,” replied De Wolfe, “we can’t—we’d go down with the Kia Ora.” We then went on, picking up people in the water. My husband w'as the last to be jiicked up. He was not taken in tlie boat at once. De Wolfe said, “There is no room on the boat—you will have to hang on to the side. The boat is too full.” At this time we had two dogs in the boat. My husband hung on to the boat, for awhile. There was a conversation vdiicli I did not hear, and my husband was got into the boat. The ladies wanted to be taken to tlie land, but the sailors said, “No, we will have tq hang off till daylight.” When' daylight broke we could not see the land and the compass was got out. We landed about 8.30 a.ill. The raft went ashore first with 11 men on it. After going ashore a fire was lighted-by ,tlie sailors and passengers. We were all standing and sitting around the fire for awhile, for some of the men then went to get help. We were all wet during the day. Wc all ran about the beach to keep warm. Late in the afternoon the fire was shifted nearer the hill and tho crew turned the boat and the raft up for breakwinds, but the crew went underneath the shelter and tho women and passengers were left out in the cold. It was raining all the time. I did not ask to bo taken under the shelter. It was full up. My husband said something to another man about the jiassengers being left out of t-lio shelter, but there was no notice taken. I had my wearing clothes on and nothing else. After assistance arrived Boh Willison handed my husband a bottle of whisky and my husband gave me a nip out of it. I put on a man’s flannel and that and a pair of sox was all I had on while my clothes were being dried by my husband. I was lying on a rug on the beach near shelter with another rug over me when some of the sailors started swearing. I believe they had too much whisky. One of tho s'ailors who was lying close to the fire, together with one of the under-stewards leaned over from where they were lying and pulled the blanket off me, leaving me practically naked. I pulled the blanket over me again. The sailor who did this has upper teeth out of front of his mouth. Two of them laughed when he did this, as also did tho stewardess, who at the *■llllo was lying on the chief steward’s >rni near the boat. I told my husband what had been done and who did it, but I asked him not to make a row as wc had enough trouble. While coming from camp to Sliera’s I had pains in my side, but when I got to Sliera’s I was all right. The doctor from New Plymouth asked me how I was, and I said I was alright. We were looked after well at Shera’s. I cannot travel.