THE MISHAP TO THE WAKATU.

Patea Mail, 18 October 1882, Page 2

THE MISHAP TO THE WAKATU.

A preliminary enquiry into the accident which happened on Friday to the Wakatu, was held yesterday morning hy Mr London, the Collector of Customs at Wanganui Captain Bonner having been sworn, repeated in substance the statement published in Our columns on Friday. In answer to Mr London, he said he had been in charge of the Wakatu to this port for the past two months, during which time he had met with three casnalities. Had been trading here off and on for ten years in the Clyde and Ino, He attributed the casnalities to the fact of the boat being too long for the entrance as it was at present. The entrance was worse now than it had been for ten years, and he had never known the western spit to approach the breakwater so closely. He did not think that the Wakatu was a suitable vessel for the entrance as it was at present. She was not a sensitive steering vessel, although she had been improved by a piece added to her rudder when in Wellington last time. He attributed the last mishap to her length and the narrowness of the channel. In answer to Mr London as to whether he felt confident (hat he could come in with safely that day, Captain Bonner said that he did not lose confidence, although one must always be careful about coming in there. If the signals were given, he must obey them, or give way to some one who would ; although if ho saw any serious obstacle in th • way he would not come in on the signals. Before the signals were given he made a remark to the effect that it would take them all their time to get in, and ho had a doubt whether the signals would be given,owing to the bad weather outside. They were eight feet away from (he spit when they struck. He was trying to keep in the middle of the channel, and did not hug the groin. Mr E. H, Becre, who was a passenger in the last trip, gave evidence corroborating that of the Captain. Captain Flowerday and the engineer of the Wakatu were also examined. Mr London will report to the Government but we are not aware whether lie considers any farther enquiry necessary. He thinks that Captain Bonner was slightly to blame in not backing the steamer more, bnt that in itself if an error of judgment was a very small one.