The Kia Ora Enquiry.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 319, 5 July 1907, Page 2

The Kia Ora Enquiry.

BENSATI )N.\L ALLEGATION-. Something -n tbe n-tur- f 1s ■ tion happened «u c nmen 1 proceedingH at tbe Nui- I 0 »u ■i. Wednesday in con-ecuou *ir* quiry c nice ruing ’he wreck Ora. On Friday la the U u o have given its d-c ei ' , hnvitg then heard all the availab mm ere f the crew, bat at the last m<»iu<-. 1 1 <»- cided to adj iuro to take 'he . vui uc of a steersman who had tbe hu lin tbe watch prior to that in which rhe wreck occurred. In the interim sensational allegations were a-d on Wednesday ‘be proce diug- assumed a startling phise. The mm who was at tbe wheel was closely exnmtued and tbe chief steward was recalled and also closely examined as to whether the chief officer was sober or not, bat they swore positively that he was sober* Then two passengers were called, and they told one of the most supri-ing stories ever heard in a Nautical Coart in New Zealand. They not oniy alleged drinking at Waitara and on board the vessel, bat made meat £erio us allegations regarding the conduct of tbe crew the wreck, when on shore, stating that one of them (the witnesses) was obliged to swim beside the sms’l boat for an hour, alt-hong* there were then in tbe boat two heavy dogs, the combined weight of which were equal to that of a man. They further alleged that the women and children were allowed to remain out all night while the crew occupied tbe shelter ; that a blanket was snatched from a lady pzssenger while her husband web drying her do tees at the Sre; and that very little of the provisions reached the passengers. A number of other passengers are to be examined, and the proceedings are likely to last over a considerable period.