The Kia Ora Enquiry.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 324, 2 August 1907, Page 2

The Kia Ora Enquiry.

The following sub-leader is taken from tbe Auckland Herald :—One of the most unpleasant duties in the w >rld falls upon Magistrates who sin cerely and anxiously endeavour to weigh the truth and dispense justice in a ease that is befogged and confused by nbvious and unmistakable perjury. That some have sworn falsely in the Kia Ora inquiry was so plain that it did not need the direct terms of the finding of tbe Nautical Court to convince tbe public that a clear and precise decision as to the immediate causes of the disaster was impossible. There will, 'however, be a practically unanimous consensus of public opinion that as fae as it was possible to disentangle the truth the court disentangled it aud has notmade any grievous error in its finding. There is one point, however, in which tbe public has a right to be heard and in which, we do not doubt, public opinion will ultimately over-ride the recommendation of ,the Court. The Court advises that greater care ba taken in the granting of packet licenses. Tbe public will ask why any packet licenses are necessary in vessels that ply from port to port along the coast and are never more than a few hours at sea. There does not appear to be any good reason why these packet boats should carry bars, which cannot fail to encourage drinking and to endanger navigation. If all such licenses were withdrawn nobody would suffer, and we venture to say that the shipping companies themselves would be th- greatest gainers.