HARBOUR FATALITY

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 67, 11 December 1937, Page 5

HARBOUR FATALITY

-Press Assooiation.)

Alleged Delay in Transmitting Message

(By Telegraph—

AUCKLAND, Last Night. The alleged delay in transmitting the message that the galley was in difficulties ofl' Karaka Bay on September 30, which was mentioned at the inquest on Thursday into the death of three naval ratings who were drowned following tho capsize of the galley, was the subject of comment by the harbourmaster, Uaptain Bergeant. He said, the statements required correetion. "It is my intention to communicate with the commander of the Achilles with reference to the statement made in evidence that the message from Mrs Partridge, of St. Heiier's, about the capsize of the boat was received by the naval auth.ori.ties at 3.10 p.m. I know as a fact that the first message from Mrs Partridge was sent to the Navy at approximately 2.30, not 3.30 p.m. I know bec&use I sent on the message myself by telephone.'' Mr Sergeant said that, after he had sent on the first advic'e, there were other messages numbering about three in all. He sent the first message on at approximately 2.30 and the other two were despatehed immediately following their receipt. Eaeh time he telephoned the Navv assured him that boats had been sen't to the scene of the capsize. "I feel that I should have been at the inquest," Mr Sergeant added. "In fairness to myself I must ask for a correct statement of the facts." i " ■?