THE INQUEST.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2240, 3 May 1881, Page 3

THE INQUEST.

[BY TELEQEiPH.] WYNDHAM, May 2. Mr McCulloch, coroner, from Invercargill, got to Otara shortly after midday. Arrangements were at once made to hold an inquest. The jury were chosen from a few of the residents of the locality (Messrs Brunton, Attwood and Co.), and from some of the Invercargill visitors (Messrs Hodges, Kingsland, and others). The inquest began about two o’clock, and up till half-past five, when I left, only the chief and second mate had been examined. The coroner, jurymen, and police, asked most extraneous questions, the second mate, for instance, being asked how far from the wreck ho picked up tbe body which went to Punedin in the Hawea. They wore evidently seeking information of all and every kind, whether connected with the subject of the enquiry or not, and were taking advantage of the earliest opportunity of getting it at first band from survivors. In that they may of course be excused, but it delayed the proceedings considerably. So much was this the case that whilst the second mate was giving his evidence a juryman gave expression to the opinion that they were surely inquiring into the cause of the wreck and not of the cause of the death of the passengers over whom they were sitting. The coroner allowed that there was room for the complaint, but he baa given a good deal of scope, seeing that the matter was of great importance. I will not give the evidence of the two witnesses in detail, as particulars relative to the proceedings after the vessel struck have been so fully published that the public would not gain any new light upon the question as to whether everything possible was done for the safety of the passengers. I will give what struck mo as being the most important portion of the evidence. The first witness was Robert Lindsay, who deposed—l was chief officer of the Tararua. She left Dunedin on Thursday evening. I had the watch from six to eight. The oaptain was on deck going out of the Heads. I again took charge as midnight, and stayed on deck till 4 a.m. The captain told me to call him at a quarter to four. I did so, and he came on deck. I was steering W.S.W., he told me to continue that course. At four o’clock the course was altered to W., and I went below. The oaptain gave orders to alter the course. The land was in sight at four o’clock. I reckoned we were about five miles to the eastward of Waipapa Point at the time I went below. The course being altered brought the vessel farther in shore. I was awoke by the vessel striking at a quarter past five. The captain was giving orders to call all hands to clear away the boats. We cleared them all away, and hung them to the davit heads. We then waited till daylight to see about landing. The boats were all lifeboats, two having lifeboat fenders in them. To Jurymen and to Inspector Buckley— Some of the passengers tried to get into the boats as they wore hanging to the davits, but the captain ordered them out. They were all males. I saw the body of a woman who came ashore on Saturday. I know 1 have seen her on board. I fancy she was a saloon passenger. She had no rings on. A man came ashore on Friday evening. He was swimming with a life-buoy. He was greatly knocked about by the breakers, and got senseless amongst them. He was eight or ten minutes amongst the breakers. We tried to restore him but failed, I judge we were fifteen miles from where we struck when I went below at four o’clock, and going ten or ten and a quarter knots on hour. I hold a master’s certificate. I was well acquainted with the coast, and considered the vessel to be the usual distance off the coast when I left the dock. The two bodies found today I also recognise as those of passengers who were on board. Ido not know their names. I do not think the captain did wrong in alter ing the course. It was hazy on the land. It was a bright starlight night, with a haze on the horizon. We passed the Nuggets at twelve o’clock, about four miles off. I think we were five miles off the land when I went down, or from four to five. If a W.S.W. course had been kept the accident would not have happened. The course was altered at "the usual time, but the ship might have overrun herself, or the reverse. It was about one o’clock when I began to think the vessel might break np. I do not think it would have been prudent to send the boate to sea with the passengers. Edward Maloney, second mate, repeated the same statement I sent yesterday as to what occurred up till the vessel struck. To Inspector Buckley—As far as I know everything possible was done for the safety of the passengers after the vessel struck. Oapt. Garrard did everything ho could to procure the safe despatch of the passengers from the ship by seeing that the boats were properly got off, and that the best crews were put in them. There was confusion when she strnck, but the captain did all he could to give the people confidence. To Jurymen—lt is a very difficult thing to say how far the land is off when there is a haze. When I took charge I could not tell how far the land was away. The ship was steered the usual course, in fact, she was steered a little out rather than anything else, because of the heavy swell setting in. I consider the captain was justified in altering the course. I presume the captain thought we had passed Waipapa Point when he changed the course to west. I supposed that the vessel bad, and the captain was more positive than mo about it that the ship was past Waipapa Point. I think where we struck was four miles from Waipapa Point. When I thought I heard breakers, and rushed aft, I found the captain working at his chart in his chart room.

A Juryman—Can you form any idea what caused the vessel to fetch the reef ?

Answer—l suppose it must have been the heavy set of the swell. Did you hear any ladies appealing to the captain to save them ? I did not.

Had you power to order the engineer to reverse the engines when you fancied you saw breakers ?

Certainly I had ; but even had I then done so I am sure wo would have gone on the reef. But 1 only fancied I saw breakers. In my opinion a light is necessary on Waipapa Point. I have heard masters say they thought so. The chief mate informed the jury that suggestions had been made to the authorities to place a light there. This was the whole of the proceedings I was able to hear, as I wished to get back here as early as possible. The remaining witnesses, Inspector Buoklcy said, would have but little to say. They were the persons who saw the bodies being taken out of the water and the police, who found documents proving the identity of those found. Mr A. Oohon, of the “ Evening Star,” was the only witness who could identify the body by sight. Ho knew Bailey, who was a waiter at the Criterion in Dunedin, and would probably give evidence. I understand that Mr Thompson, the landlord, who, as I said yesterday, was at the wreck, had left a deposition to the effect that he was able beyond question to identify Bailey. The jury would in all probability, upon the evidence before them, find a voidict that the persons were drowned by the wrecking of the Tararua, adding a rider that a light should be placed at Waipapa Point , GENERAL EE MARKS. As I arrived at Otara just as the inquest was beginning, and saw it through till the time previously mentioned, I had not much opportunity of making inquiries. What I am about to state, therefore, will be but

scant. I left the scone just at dusk. It may be taken for certain that no bodies arc recovered beyond those I am able to speak of. There are now four bodies lying at Otara. One is that of Hailey, secured on Friday, and the other of the young woman who came ashore on Saturday morning. The other two came ashore this morning, one at 7.45, the other at 9 50. The one who first came ashore is a man not less than sft 10in in height. In a telegram I sent you during the day, I described him as stout and middle sized, but this was upon hearsay. He is of stout build, but not stout; evidently a strong powerful man, hair all over his face, of no length; black hair on his head. He has a dark tweed coat with purple ctripee running through the check, and tweed trousers and vest of grey and black check. He cannot be identified by anything found in his pockets, but the second mate end the sailors state that they are nearly positive ho was a passenger who travelled from V,Ellington with his wife. The only married couple on the passenger list from there are Mr Downes and wife, and this may be Mr Downes. The second body picked up to-day was thatof o young looking man, with no hair on his face, about sft. 7in. in height, of slight build, with dark brown hair, and having on a blue coat and vest and tweed trousers. Ho is known to bo Joseph Wallace, from Lyttelton, os in his pocket there wes found a through ticket for England, per s.s. Liguria. The box which I mentioned yesterday as having the initials “ J.W., per Liguria,” on it will therefore be his. As I suggested yesterday was probable, bodies are coming ashore at Waikawa. There are two ashore there. Oao is that of a young man without any hair on his face, and fully dressed. In his pocket there are some documents which show his name to be George Gorton, amongst them being an Invercargill Post Office Savings Bank book. The other body is that of a boy described as being apparently about eleven years of age. Dr, Campbell’s eldest boy was that age I hear, so that the body may bo his son. The two bodies found to-day at the scene of the wreck, and also that found at Waikawa, bear traces of having been knocked about amoegst the rooks. The two at the wreck are not disfigured about the face, although the skin is frayed till it looks red instead of white, as usual after drowning; but there are some nasty bruises about the back of the head. It will be seen that of the six bodies ashore, three are positively identified. One is believed to be a married man from Wellington, and the other is a boy believed to be Dr. Campbell’s son, and the sixth is that of a female. At present, therefore, the list stands—Joseph Wallace, George Gorton (probably), Downee from Wellington (probably), Dr. Campbell’s son (probably), and a young woman (possibly Miss Kelly, of Auckland). As regards the small number of bodies thrown up that is not altogether surprising. When the William Ackers was wrecked at Waipapa Point eight lives out of eleven were lost. Only three bodies were ever found, and two of these were not got till six weeks after the occurrence. A very heavy easterly gale threw the two up on one day. Wreckage is coming ashore largely toward the north. I should mention here that a mail has been found at Waikawa, and is to be brought down to Fortrose. It is likely that the wreckage is of no value whatever. Not a thing in the way of goods has come ashore. The only articles almost, either of interest or importance, are the passengers’ boxes. The Rev. Mr Buttle hss desired me to say that he can communicate nothing about the Wesleyan clergymen or laymen who were on board. The only scrap about any of them is, as I said yesterday, the statement of the chief mate that a clergyman asked him to be sure to be careful as the boat put off. I suggested that this might have be Mr Waterhouse, but Mr Buttle has obtained a description of the gentleman from the mate, and is satisfied it was Mr Bichardson. Some surprise is expressed by those at the scene at hearing no word from the Union Company. It is thought that the company might have sent a boat round to make inquiries, and possibly to take the recovered bodies to Dunedin. I do not know whether the burial is to take place here, but if so it seems somehow to be different from wtat ought to be done. To-night I mot five people on the way to the wreck. One was Dr Campbell's brother. I should not recommend people whose relations were on board to come down. The journey is a very rough one from Wyndham. There are no comforts at the spot. Last night people were lying huddled about in their clothes trying to get repute, but judging by appearances to-day not enoceeding very well. The station, as it is called, only comprises in the way of buildings a hut for the men and a barn. It is Brunton's lower station. Then there is the probability of so little satisfaction resulting from the trip. Bodies are coming ashore but slowly, and for a considerable distance along the coast linenorthward. If one is hoard of as' being discovered towards Waikawa, there is a strong wish to go and get a view of it, and the odds are greatly in favor of nothing but disappointment after a long and wearying journey. It is indeed a pity that some arrangement could not be made for conveying the bodies to Dunedin or even Invercargill, where they could be identified without the great inconvenience involved as things are now. Speaking of the assistance rendered by the settlers, I should in my previous communication have mentioned Mr Faddon, of Fortroee, as having been particularly kind and attentive to the survivors.