Wreck of the s.s. Kia Ora.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 318, 28 June 1907, Page 2

Wreck of the s.s. Kia Ora.

The s.s. Rarawa made a special trip last Friday to the Piritoki Reef, where the Kia Ora was wrecked, but owing to the thick weather, she was unable to steam near enough to the reef to see the wreck, Captains Schofield and Tate have been appointed nautical assessors to act with Mr C. Kettle, S. M., in the magisterial inquiry into the wreck of the steamer Kia Ora, which was opened in Auckland on Wednesday. We learn that Captain Roberts, of the s.s. Rothesay, has been instructed to proceed to Auckland to give evidence. Mr M'Intosh, of Oparau, will also be a witness at the enquiry. Mr Ross, who lost his life in the wreck, was a young man of 21 years, and was on his way to visit his brother, Mr Peter Ross, of Kinohaku. LATE CAPTAIN BLACKLOCK. Captain Blacklock, who met his death in the wreck of the Kia Ora seems, from all accounts, to have conducted himself at the last just as those who knew him for a cool headed and gallant sailor would have expected. Called to the deck of his ship in the small hours to find her on the rocks, there was nothing left to him but to save those on board. And the witnesses able to speak on the question agree that in the emergency he showed splendid coolness and resource, and even had time for sympathy with those who were less collected His remark on observing the terror of the little pantry boy, ‘’l'd give my life to save that boy.” was one that could only come, in such a moment of stress from a big hearted man. It was however, typical of poor Blacklock, who leaves behind him an enviable record for thoughtfulness, alike to both his passengers and crew. That he was one of the Northern Company’s most trusted skippers can be seen from the fact that they sent him Home to bring out the Rarawa. and also made him the relieving captain in the New Plymouth trade whenever Captain Norbury was on holiday leave.— Observer.

In the course of a leading article on the wreck of s.s. Kia Ora, the Raglan Chronicle Says :—‘‘Fortunately our own people got off safely and remarkably well. Not so however, Captain Blacklock, whose untimely end in the prime of life, and at little more than the commencement of his career has thrown a gloom over the whole community. It would be difficult to appraise too highly the claims the Kia Ora’s popular skipper had on our consideration and esteem. A man, probably without a single enemy in all the world, he endeared himself to us all by reason of his kindly, courteous, unassuming ways. Attentive alike to those who came within his care either afloat or ashore, tactful in all matters where friction threatened between his employers and the public, resourceful in difficulties, an honoured servant of the Company and a model husband and father, he died as one might confidently expect such a man to die—at his post like a Briton, regardless, up to the last, of his own safety until all had been done that was possible for the others. Our sincerest sympathy is extended to his wife, and likewise to the relatives of the two passengers who were drowned.”

There was no quorum for the Waitara Harbour Board meeting on Friday evening. Messrs Stubbs (Chairman), Jennings, and Wilson, who were present, decided to pass a resolution regretting the death of Captain Blacklock and others, through the wreck of the Kia Ora. It has been resolved :—“That the members of the Waitara Harbour Board wish to place on record their deep regret and condolence with the members of the family of the late Capt. Blacklock, and the friends of those who lost their lives in the unfortunate disaster which resulted in the wreck of the s.s. Kia Ora off Terua Point on the 18th inst.”

REPLACING THE KIA ORA. The Northern Company has decided to send the s.s. Waitangi round to Onehunga to take up the running of the s.s. Kia Ora, which was wrecked near Kawhia recently. The Waitangi after being out of commission for some time, is now being overhauled at Auckland, and will be ready to enter the west coast trade in a week or two. The Waitangi will make two trips up and down the coast every week in order to cope with the cargo. On the first trip she will call at Raglan and Kawhia only, and on the second journey she will visit Waitara, as well as the first named ports. This arrangement is only a temporary one, and so soon as the Northern Co. can get a suitable vessel for the trade, the Waitangi will be withdrawn. THE KAWHIA TRADE. The Wellington correspondent of the Auckland Star, telegraphing on Saturday last, says :—“ln its issue this morning the “New Zealand Times” makes a strong appeal to shipowners trading out of Wellington to capture the trade of Kawhia, stating that the loss of the Kia Ora has now given them an opportunity of securing this trade that may not occur at a later date. The paper argues that Wellington firms, aided by a direct service, could supply more cheaply than is the case from Onehunga, and states that there has been an expression among settlers in Wellington that quotations compare more than favourably with those of Auckland, but the connection between Kawhia and Wellington is irregular and not dependable. Several shipping people here to whom I have spoken do not appear to be impressed with the suggestions of the morning paper.