WAIRUNA ENQUIRY.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 October 1917, Page 3

WAIRUNA ENQUIRY.

IMPORTANT ItECOMMENDATIONS

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. COPYRIGHT.]

WELLINGTON, Oct. 12

The following has been released by the Censor for publication. The text of the finding of tho Court of enquiry into the loss of the Wairunn :

It is highly probable that tho loss was caused by enemy action, either through operations of a raider, or through the placing of a timed bomb on board the vessel before she left port; and of these two the latter is the more (probable rauso Tho court makes ” - following recommendations for serious and urgent consideratlion by ‘the Government :—r(l) That stricter precautions'be taken to prevent the approach of unauthorised nevsoys to’ vessels and wharves

(2) That stricter precautions ho taken to prevent undesirable men being employed on vessels and wharves (3) That firms employing members of alien enemy nationality ho not permitted to .ship goods. (4) That all persons going on hoard vessels be searched, and all luggage to be taken oi vessels be examined. (5) That all cargo for shipment be narked under Government supervision, and be retained thereafter under Government control until shipped. (f>) That if there are cases where compliance with the immediately preceding recommendations is not practicable, in such cases the package be retained in Government control for an indefinite time before shipment.

A RUMOUR DENIED

WELLINGTON. Oct. 12.

With reference to the recent official statement that a. German raider had not been responsible for the sinking of the Wairuna. it is now officially stated by the naval authorities in N»w Zealand that there is no truth whatever in the rumour that the Wairuna’s crew had landed on any part, of the American coast.

safety of ships

WELLINGTON. Oot. 12

A notice to shipowners and masters is published in a Gazette regarding c'i".- , c : al precautions to be taken when British vessels go through a danger zone.