GREY WRECK

Hokitika Guardian, 31 May 1932, Page 2

GREY WRECK

POSITION OF IvAPONGA

NO SALVAGING YET.

GREYMOUTH, May 39

The Ivaponga remained yesterday in exactly the same position as on. , the previous day, the seas continuing to pound against the ill-fated steamer. No attempt was made to salvage any of the fittings, but this work ni l pi'ulyibiv be commenced Avlien advice to proceed Avith such Avork is received from the- headquarters of the Union Company. ;• j

There : ;s ample room for shipping ff! . pa’ s the ~lvaponga,, hiri .vessels will .meantime he allo'ved to enter and leave ~the -iPort only in daylight, as it would be inadvisable- -for, steamers to ge in and out of the port in darkness ii-nt 1 the removal of- the hull of the Krponga. Yesterday morning, the/preliminary enquiry as to the cause of the wreck of the *s.s. Ivaponga, Avas opened before the Collector of Customs, Mr K. H, -Smyth, with the examination of the ship s officers. These- examinee Avere : Captain Gray, Chief Officer Bevan, second officer Gib'on, third officer Clark, chief engineer Didner, and the engineer in charge of the power, Ylr Atkinson, also the bo’shn. The, Harbourmaster (Captain Cox), the Signalman (Captain Venn) and the Hal*hour Board’s Assistant Engineer (Mr D. C. (Milne) also gave -evidence,

The evidence taken will be forwarded to the Secretary of the Marine Department, Avho Avill decide as to Avhetlier'U Magisterial Enquiry will take placed If any enquiry is to be held, it will most likely take place at Wellington. x Yesterday, the crew of the Ivapong.i Avere paid off .and all but three of.them, who reside in Greymouth, will leave by the s.s. Komata to-day for Wellington. They receive a free passage, and their wages up till the time they arrive at their home ports. The report that the steamer Kalmgo bumped the bar when sailing before the Ivaponga on Friday is now contradicted. The Chairman ef the Harbour Board, Mr P. J. McLean, stated yesterday that Captain'Venn‘states the Kalingo -did not touch the bottom, and that three other witnesses present at the Signal Station -at the time the Kalingo Avent out Avere definite in saying that the ship did not signal.