COURT OF ENQUIRY.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 May 1924, Page 1

COURT OF ENQUIRY.

[by TELEGRAPH —rER I’ll ESS ASSOCIATION

FURTHER EVIDENCE. WELLINGTON, May 20. The Nautical Court’s inquiry into the loss of the Xgahere at Greymouth on flic 12th. May wa s continued to-day. Capain Cox said that four days before tho Ngahorc went out the doors .in the bottom of the dredge opened during a heavy swell and one hundred tons of shingle fell out. J his would make a difference of six inches on the bottom. Regarding the blast sounded on the whistle of the Regains, witness decided that it was given as an acknowledgement of the signal. Had lie thought it was as a warning that the Regains had touched the bar lie would have warned tho Captain of the Xgahere. He realised the seriousness of a warning .signal in this ease. Captain William Straehan, signalman at Greymouth. said lie only just heard the blast from the Regains and tis lie was in doubt about it ho hoisted the signal for tlie harbourmaster's office. The rule was that the whistle was given cttly for touching the bar. In fifteen years’ experience witness had never had tlie signal answered by a blast. The signal blast was usually about live seconds. Captain Wildman onlv gave the string a twitch. WELLINGTON, May 30.

At the Xgahere Enquiry Capt. Wildman, of the Regains, said his Blast was distinct and was intended to ho heard at the signal station.

Evidence was given that the Xgahere was insured for 210,000. Counsel for Capt. Green contended that ho went out on tho assumption that there would he 18ft lilt of water on the bar. The Harbourmaster and Capt. Green were justified in this belief. After the accident there was an increased current in the river and a

large amount of the shoal would bo washed away, 110 urged that Capt. Green had taken all precautions. Tho Court will deliver its finding today.