THE MARARUA’S MISHAP

Hokitika Guardian, 28 February 1917, Page 3

THE MARARUA’S MISHAP

A Passenger’s Story

Wellington, Feb 25 Interviewed by a ropmter a passenger on the Maiaroa said that the vessel was going aioog at a snail’s pace long before she grounded. The fog grew denser and denser and soundings were taken freqcently, Thß water grew shallower. The vesgel continuously sounded her fog horn. Suddenly there was a soft grinding noiae, the vessel quivered from stscn to sterr, and then stopped dead with a el’ght grinding jolt. The propeller could be heard still slowly churning the water, and then a man’s voic9 sounded from the bridgp, “Full speed astern. Thera are rocks ahead.” The propeller reversed, but the vessel remained fast."

Nearly all tbe passengers were about the deck at the time while a number were in tbe saloon having breakfast. All rushed to the side of the vessel, but nothing could be seen through the thick fog There was very little excitement. Passengers and crew jnoved about quickly. While the boats were swung out ready in the davits word went around that there wts little or no danger as (he vessel was making no wafer. All calmly waited for the Dext turn of events. Soras sharp-eyed passengers thought tley saw rocks ahead, and after a while the bsach could be sfesn very near. When a wireless message conveyed the welcome news that the Monowai was standing by any feelings of alarm were dispelled. Passengers state that it was ramaikable how calmly everyone viewed the position. At the lunch hour all weet. down to the saloon and ylacidly discussed their position. The transferring of passengers to the Monowai wr.s simply accomplished. There was a light swell running and the lifeboats jovered the journey to the Monowai vitbout accident.

Damage Very Slight. Wellington, Feb 26 The Mararoa’a propeller was cleared to-day by divers, who also discovered a few dents in the bnli where ehe grounded, but not sufficient, apparently, to require removal of plates, A fuller examination will be made tomorrow in dock at Lyttelton, for which port the steamer left at 6.15 p.m. The Government Superintendent of Marine will hold a preliminary inquiry here to-morrow concerning the mishap.

Supreme Court Decision.

Wellington, Feb 26

At the Supreme Court, Mr Justice Chapman fiued Charles Henuorson, recently found guilty of common assault on Constable Fitzgerald, £5, Hia Honor said tbe jury’s finding was clear and there was no necessity to refer the ca e to the Appeal Court* The verdict was an unequivocal verdict of guilty on thb ccunt of common assault, and was based on Henderson’s evidence. Any other verdict would have been wrong in ’aw- The jury did not find justification foe the assault, but that sufficient provocation had been given. Henderson, however, bad extended the assault far beyond the exigencies of the case and must bo punished.

Qverdosa of Chiorodyne

Auckland, Feb 26

Arthur John Harris, aged forty-two died in the hospital from an overdose of chlorcdyce,