THE KIA ORA WRECK.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3769, 4 July 1907, Page 3

THE KIA ORA WRECK.

Sensational Develop-

ments.

Allegations of Drunken-

ness.

Auckland, July 3

A new and startling phase in the proceeedings of the nautical inquiry in connection with the wreck of the Kia Ora was reached to-day, and some most sensational evidence was forthcoming. After hearing the evidence of Morris, the man at the wheel, Peterson, chief steward, was called. Peterson, who had been previously in the box, stated that he was prepared to answer any questions put to him. The Kia Ora had a packet license. The bar was run under the company’s rules, liquor being supplied by the company only, witness receiving a profit. Mr Kettle : The license authorises you to sell to passengers. Do you also sell to the officers and crew ?—Yes, unless I have instructions from the captain not to do so. On the night of the wreck did you serve any liquor to officers and crew.

No liquor was served to the crew. Ido not remember serving any officers. Three drinks were served, but I do not know who all were served to.

Will you swear that between 10 and it o’clock that night you did not fill three empty bottles with whisky and give two to De Wolfe and one to Baggstrom to take away into the saloon, filling the bottles born a demijohn ?—I absolutely swear that I sold no bulk liquor. Will you swear that there were no signs of liquor observable on De Wolfe when he went round for tickets ?—Well! After you got me down to the police station before the inspector, and told me that if I repeated evidence I have given, I will be charged with perjury ! A sergeant of police came round on Sunday, and told me I must go to the inspector. I went, and Mr Mays told me the case had taken a different turn, and that five or six witnesses were prepared to swear De Wolf was muddled with drink when taking tickets that night, and was incapable of doing his duty. I was told I would be charged with perjury if I did not alter my statement —at least, that was the meaning I took out of it. Thomas Cavanagh, contractor, Marakopa was then called. Witness said he and his wife were passengers on the Kia Ora. They left Waitara at 9.30 p.m. He saw De Wolfe going round with the chief steward for tickets, and De Wolfe was staggering. He fell up against the saloon railing. Did not hear him say anything at that stage, but he gave the impression of being under the influence of liquor, “ After De Wolfe left me,” said the witness, ‘‘ I had a conversation with Messrs Forbes and Partridge, and then went into the bar in the saloon. I had two drinks, and Partridge joined me in the first one. Pater on I returned to the saloon, and sat down, and while there the chief officer and Baggstrom came in. De Wolfe had two bottles in his hand, and Baggstrom also had one. They were whisky bottles, and were empty. They had them filled, and started drinking, and at their invitation I had a glass or two. They went up the steps, and I went after them and stood by the rigging at the mizzeu mast. I saw them pass in under the bridge. I remained wheie I was for half-an-hour. While I was there no one went up on the bridge.”

Witness stated that he went and laid down in the saloon, and remained there until the ship struck. He rushed up on deck.

As soon as he arrived there he saw the captain come out of his cabin, catch hold of the rail, and look out first on one side of the ship and then on the other. He was fully dressed except fora coat. After detailing what happened when the vessel struck, witness said: ‘ ‘ After I came to the surface I saw something floating in the water, and made towards it. It was a sack of chaff. I clung on to it. I then started to cry out Forbes’ name, but got no answer. There was no sign of anything or anybody. After some time had elapsed I got up near the boat, which was then burning a light. I called out that I was all right. I got a bit closer, and heard a voice say, ‘You can’t get into the boat.’ ”

Mr Mays : Did you know the voice ? —lt appeared to be the chief mate’s. Did you say anything else?— I told him I was all right; that all I wanted was to put my hand on the side. Then as he pulled alongside he said, “You can’t get into the boat.” I told him I did not want to. I got alongside, and put one hand on the gunwale, and kept holding on to the bag of chaff with the other. I remained like this fully an hour. While you were hanging on to the boat-side did you hear any protest about dogs being kept in the boat? —Yes someone made a remark about the dogs being thrown out. Continuing his evidence, Cavanagh said he ‘ ‘ was disgusted with the whole crowd.” There was no fog at n o’clock, and none when the vessel struck. His cross-exa. mination was postponed at counsel’s request. Mr Baggstrom (chief engineer): May I ask what religion this rgentleman belongs to? The chairman; Yes. Mr Baggstrom (to Cavanaghj: What religion are you ? W itness: A Roman C atholic.

Mr Baggstrom : How can yon, on your oath, then, tell such ungodly lies ? The Magistrate said such a style of examination could not be allowed.

In further reply to Mr Baggstrora, witness said that he adhered to his statement

To the Bench, the witness said he was sober when he went aboard and remained so all the time.

Another passenger, William McFarlane Mclntosh said De Wolle was in a muddled state, and was not in a fit state to take charge of the ship. The weather was not foggy when the vessel struck. When witness was taken into the boat, he saw Cavanagh swimming alongside and De Wolfe told him not to get in. There were then two dogs in the boat. Several protests were made about keeping them in, but De Wolfe made no reply. Cavanagh was taken into the boat later. De Wolfe said on several occasions that he didn’t know where he was, and he could" not find the compass for a quarter of an hour. Mr Mays; Did Peterson speak to De Wolfe ?—No but I heard him say ‘ ‘ I said myself as soon as she struck “that’s De Wolfe.” Did the crew offer the women and children shelter after landing ? —No. They were not asked for it. One lady was in the shelter, and my wife and Mrs Cavanagh were out in the open all night. Have you any fault to find with the provisions?—Yes. We had terrible hardships. The boat was not properly provisioned at all. The inquiry was adjorned till 2.15 next day.