TAINUI ENQUIRY.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 October 1919, Page 3

TAINUI ENQUIRY.

lP£a PBESS ASSOCIATION. COPYBIUHT.J | CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 16. Capt. Colonna, Llloyd’s surveyor, gave evidence that it was imperative that the bulkhead should go down to I the skin of the ship, if it were intended to carry benzine. Precautions should include the opening of the hatches at intervals, to allow the fumes to escape. His theory of the explosion was that the bilges were not kept free of benzine, and a spark, probably from the surface, ignited the benzine. The best protection would be to carry oiltight tins. . . To Mr Young,—lf he were captain of a wooden vessel he would not allow leaky cases near the ship. James Hughes, a watersider said in II years experience he had never handled a worse cargo than the Tainui’s Only rope slings were used in loading the vessel. Some tins not leaking in the trucks were broken, and oil ran out in the hold or on deck. Benzine in cases were best handled on deck. Though an order to put only sound cases into the hold was given, those who gave it allowed leaky cases to go down. CHRISTCHURCH, This Day.

Capt. Daniel Banner, master of the coaster Mana gave evidence that the Mana carried benzine cargoes similar to the Tainui, and the Mana was an iron vessel. He was formerly master of the Tainui and carried benzine car-

-es in both holds on occasions, but lever put ironwork on top of a benzine ■•go. The officers were tho responsible parties for loading. No boats were free from risk when carrying benzine, hut in the Tainui there was more risk than in a vessel properly constructed for oil carrying . . •