AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 April 1926, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.! S.S. DORR IGO ENQUIR Y. BRISBANE, April 21. The Marine Court has commenced an inquiry into the loss of I lie steamer Dorrigo. Captain Gray, the master of tile vessel. gave evidence that lie had thirty years' experience on the eastern coast of Australia. Before leaving port on the ill-fated voyage, he. noticed nothing wrong. The ship appeared to be well stowed, and at sea she was absolutely upright-,- and he could give no reason for tho disaster.DORRIGO INQUIRY. SYDNEY. April 22. At the Dorrigo. inquiry. Captain Gray gave evidence that he was awakened at 5..30 in the morning by a seaman. There was a moderate eastrlv wind and sea, The Dorrigo had a heavy list lo port. He saw water flush wifi!.', the bulwarks, and ordered some seamen to throw the benzine eases overboard. He told tho Chief Officer to get- the port boat ready. Tho men did their best to get the boat out, but the ship was heeling over too rapidly, and she got on her beam ends, the funnel being almost parallel with the water, aitd sho seemed to hang there a- while.- Then tlm steamer settled down by the stem. Witness counted everyone in the water except one fireman. He admitted his son told him the fireman had said that there was two feet of water in tho stokehold. If that were true probably there would he water in the engine room. That might have caused the vessel to turn over. He expressed tho opinion that if lie had Imicii called earlier they might have saved the ship, or at least havegot the boats away. He was called at the ordinary hour. OBITUARY, SYDNEY, April 2‘_>, Obituary.—Rev. A/ T. Cliosowski. Jewish minister, formerly of Christchurch and Dunedin. THREAT OF STRIKE. SYDNEY, April 2i. The Federal Council of Federated Engine Drivers and Firemen’s Association decided that notice of the intention of members ol their union to strike within fourteen days, he sent to colliery owner's of New South Wales, Tasmania, and \ ictona io % inorr<>w unless in the interim their demand- fire granted.