HARBOR COLLISION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2179, 1 May 1908, Page 2

HARBOR COLLISION.

INQUIRY AT PORT CHALMERS. Press Association. DUNEDIN, April 30. An inquiry into the circumstances .mounding the collision in the lower .tarbor on the night of the 18th inst., between the Lady Roberts, defence ■oat, and th.o Matakana, a motor idling boat, was commenced at Port hi aimers this morning. Mr. C. C. Jraham, S.M., presided, and Capains Forbes and Wedding were the lautical assessors. 'Air. Fraser apleared for the Ala rill e Department, dr. Hanlon for the commander of the .ady Roberts (Captain Cashmau), iml .Mr. Hay for the owner of the idling boat (Joseph Ccddoi). Lieut.Hoi. Smytli appeared on behalf of the Defence Department. The evidence J Captain Cashmau was to the effect hat the Lady Roberts liad 'ail her igilts burning. He first saw the Alaakana when at from 100 to 1.50 yards listance. If the fishing boat had vept oil her course the Lady Roberts vould have cleared it by 130 ft. When iboilt 30yd6 separated the boats, tho '.latakana altered her course and atempted to cross'the bow of the other mat. Captain Cushman put the endues full speed 'astern and the helm o starboard, hut a collision -was iuwitahle. The Alatakana was coining dong on tho port, or wrong side, of he channel, and the accident was ololy due to her attempting to cross lie hows of the Lady Roberts. Evi-b-nce was also given by J'as. Daly, las. Martin, and Cant. Gardner Royal Artillery) to the effect that 'he collision wa6 inevitable. Evidence civen by those on the Alatakana bowed some doubt as to had tho tiler of the boat at .the time. The own.r of the launch stated he was attendng to the engine, and did not- <ro asern. He thought a young 'fellow, lamed Peters was steering. Evidence ilso showed’ there was a keg of beer in board, but all the nartv were stated to be .perfectly sober. The police •videnco showed that the owner of lie boat ivas sober at 10.10 p.m., about an hour before the boat left Port Chalmers.