THE TARARUA DISASTER.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2249, 13 May 1881, Page 3

THE TARARUA DISASTER.

A special service in connection with the loss of ministers and members of the Wesleyan Church who were on the ill-fated Tararua, was held in the Durham street Church last evening. The church was crowded, more so, perhaps, than it had ever been previously. Proceedings were commenced by singing, and prayers by the Revs. Isitt and Aldred ; easons for the evening were then read by the Rev. Mr Taylor, of Rangiora, and the Rev. Mr Martin, of Lyttelton. The funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. James Bailer, who took for his text Psalms xxix , 3—“ The voice of the Lord is upon the waters.” The rev. gentleman preached a very eloquent sermon, to show (speaking briefly) that such a dreadful calamity as that which bad befallen the passengers by the Tararua came to them as the voice of God. In this light they might reverently ask themselves, “ What were the wild waves saying; ? ” the answer to which was the lesson of God’s Majesty, divine government, &c. He concluded by giving irief sketches of the lives of the Revs. Rich - ardson, Armitage, and Waterhouse; also of Messrs Oonnal and Mitchell. A collection was then made on behalf of the widows of the two first mentioned, the results being, it is believed, very satisfactory, A special anthem, “ 1 heard a voioe from Heaven,” was then sung very admirably. Prayers by the Rev. J, Garlick, of Woodend, followed, after which the choir sang “ Vital Spark, ” The Rev. Mr Baumber then pronounced the benediction, and the "Dead March in Saul” was played by Mr Searell, organist of the church.

A funeral sermon was preached on Sunday at the Leeston Wesleyan church by the Rev. Mr Garlick to a very large congregation. The pulpit was draped in black. He took for his text part of the 21st verse of the Ist chapter of Philippians, “ To die is gain.” A meeting was held at Irwell on Monday evening, at which the Rev. Mr Garlick presided. The meeting was held for the purpose of making arrangements for appointing a successor to the late Mr Armitage, and also to express sympathy with Mrs Armitage for her loss. After some discussion, it was left to the president of the Conference to make the appointment. It was decided that Mrs Armitage and family should reside at the parsonage for the remainder of the year. The following gentlemen were then appointed to canvass the district for subscriptions—Mr Henry Overton, Irwell; Messrs Witfaell and Watson, Brookside; Messrs Barnett and Jameson, Leeston; Messrs Waby and Attwood, Southbridge. The meeting then closed.

We (“Morning Herald”) are informed that most of the missing bodies ooold be recovered in a very short time if a boat were sent round to the reef. The people on shore can see many bodies entangled in the kelp some distance from the beach, and are obliged to witness the horrible feast of the seabirds upon the remains of the unfortunate victims of the wreck. As no one in authority appears to think it necessary to look after the wants of those who are engaged in the painful task of recovering the dead, we hope the relief committee will not think it beyond the scope of their duty to take prompt action in the matter.

[PBBSB ASSOCIATION TBI.EQBAM3.J DUNEDIN, May 12. At a meeting of the Tararua Relief Fund Committee to-day, the following resolutions were oome to :—“ That the committee have to report that the only eases brought under their notice have been one at Oamoru, one at Port Chalmers, one at Wellington, one at Auckland, and one at Dunedin, which has been relieved, and the party has gone home. From this it would appear that there is no distress to warrant the getting np of a general f and, and that all the coses are such as .can be best met by the local charities. Should any further cases oome to light, they will be considered at a meeting to he held in about a week.” The harbor master, in his report bo the Harbor Board this afternoon, strongly urged that the Government should establish fog signals in connection with lighthouses along the coast. The ketch Good Templar left for Woipapa yesterday, taking boats and a party of men.to the scene of the wreck. The Government intend to at once commence diving operations at the wreck for the aid silver.

THE ENQUIRY INTO THE WRECK,

DUNEDIN, May 12. The Tararua enquiry was resumed to-day. Thomas Dixon, Edward Johnston, and Frank Denz first gave evidence, bnt not of an important nature. All agreed as to the danger to a boat in the vicinity of the wreck, and bore out the second mate’s expressions of opinion in this respect. Frank Denz said that if all the steamers in England had been there after 12 o'clock on Friday, they oonld not have saved a single soul from the Tararua.

Captain Chatfield, of the s.s. Bingarooma, said—l have had about twenty years* experience of the New Zealand coast. I know well the part of the coast where the Tararua was lost. X consider Waipapa Point one of the wont dangers we have on the -coast of New Zealand. The point is low, along low reef lies off it, and any sea at all on the coast causes a vapour to arise, which obstructs the land. That makes it hard for a master to judge his distance off the land. I generally run right abreast of Waipapa before I change my course at all. I suggest that a red catting light should be placed on Slope Pointy which would cover the dangerous part of Waipapa ; a part of the Dog Island light should be fitted with a red-sector, showing over the Toby Rock. It would be much safer to have both these suggestions carried out, but we might do without the-cutting light on Dog Island. The clanger of Toby Rock causes us to hug Waipapa, In heavy weather we always stop until daylight before we oome to Waipapa Point. Captain Sinclair, of the s.s. Arawata, deposed—l agree with what Captain Ohaliield has said, excepting that when the weather is moderately clear, I always sight Dog Island light before changing my course. The light which ehoold be on Slope Point shonld be white to seaward, with a red arc 8. 46 W, which would run right across Toby Rock. By this means both dangers wonld_ be avoided by one light. I have passed Waipapa about 236 times, nearly always in the dark or in the dusk.

Charles Stewart, able seaman, deposed—l relieved Dene when he went to get the coffee, at about five minutes past five. He gave mo the course west. These courses were all by the standard compasses, I kept her west. I saw no land, and heard nothing. When I came aft, the second mate was on the bridge. I believe I saw the captain coming down from the bridge as I went aft, but I will not swear to it. She struck about ten minutes after I took the wheel, I saw the second mat# coming aft to the captain’s room, which is just abaft the mainmast. That would be about five minutes before she struck. They spoke together, and the captain sung ont “ Hard a starboard.” Before this, I had noticed him looking over the port side. He ran and helped me to heave the wheel 'round a-starboard. She answered her helm, but I cannot cay how far she came round. She struck immediately

afterwards, about a minute af S’ the capta'a rushed to the wheel. I stuck to the wheel until she broke the gear: She lifted the wheel up three times, and the gear all unshipped. I let go the wheel and caught hold of it again. I did not like to run away, so I stayed there a few seconds. Finding I could be of no further use, I then went forward.

_ John Weston, able seaman, deposed—l relieved Barnett on the look-oat, about five or ten minutes after five. When I went forward I saw the loom of the high land, but not the beaofa. I heard nothing. I looked towards the bridge because I had orders always to keep a bright look-out, but I saw nobody on it. I saw some one aft. I don’t think 1 was on the forecastle head more than from five to eight minutes when the ship struck. Just about a minute before she struck I saw the foam round the vessel, and thought she was in some current. I did not sing out about it. I did not think the foam meant any danger. I saw nothing else and heard nothing before she struck. The foam was not like water breaking over rocks. It was boiling. Just as she struck I was in the act of coming aft to see what the foam was. It was so comical like. The ship struck aft, and sent me spinning. I got ashore from the mate’s boat. I don’t recollect seeing anyone on the bridge after I went on the look-out.

The last witness examined to-day was Geo. Lawrence, who swam ashore from the first boat and sent a message to the telegraph office. He said he did not say anything about danger, only to send assistance immediately. On concluding his evidence Mr Simpson said that Lawrence should be highly complimented for his pluck in swimming ashore. It was a very brave act.

At 530 p.m. the proceedings were adjourned till Saturday.