VESTRIS ENQUIRY

Hokitika Guardian, 23 November 1928, Page 5

VESTRIS ENQUIRY

FURTHER PARTICULARS

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright).

(Received this day at 11.25. .a.in.) NEW YORK, Nov. 22.

Joseph P.oxill, a negro stoker, testified ao the Vestris enquiry before Tutt.e, that the Vestris’ lifeboat, No 4, filled mostly with "women and children, was lowered within five feet of the liter, hut was never released from the ship. Boxill said he saw the sinking vessel drag the loaded boat down with it.

Apart from Boxill’s testimony, both Tuttle and the Inspection Service enquiry appeared to reach an anti-climax stage during the early sessions, which apparently prompted Tuttle to expedite his investigation as much as possible, calling numerous witnesses in rapid succession .

Captain William Bambra told much the same story as before the other investigations,'cabled on 2Lst. Nov., adding that while he was in command of the vessel, boat drills were held regularly.

The hearings were otherwise occupied with unsupported statements from negro members of the crew, and others such as that the cause of the sinking “might have been lead on the bottom.”