BLENHEIM BOATING FATALITY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3720, 11 October 1906, Page 4

BLENHEIM BOATING FATALITY.

Beenhaim, Oct. 5. At the inquest on the bodies of the persons drowned in the Maritana disaster on Sunday, evidence was taken from Patchett (the owner of the launch) Chant (the steerer), Gamble (of the rescue party), Osgood (a passenger who saved McKinley), Constable Carmody, and Captain Fisk, the pilot stationed at the Wairau bar. The evidence went to show the existence of a snag not known to those in charge of the Maritana. Had the launch returned at low tide the disaster would have been avoided. At noon the jury visited the scene of the disaster. The snag was about twelve feet from the South bank, and three feet below the surface at high tide. Osgood said he considered that had the launch been put astern more lives could have been saved. Other witnesses stated that everything possible was done to save life. Captain Fisk in his evidence stated that he could have landed the passengers without coming so near the bank. There was no necessity for so doing. The jury returned a verdict that the deceased met their deaths through the launch striking a submerged snag, no blame being attached to those in charge. They add riders (1) recommending the authorities to remove the snag immediately, as it was in danger to traffic; and (2) that in future vessels plying on the river for hire carry life-saving apparatus.