TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 61, 8 February 1884, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

(REUTER’S TELEGRAMS.) Melbourne, Feb. 7. The Tarawera arrived from the Bluff this morning. Ter Press Association,] Lyttelton, Feb. 7. Sailed : The Moravian, for Newcastle; the Torea, Kaipara, Rotomahana, Koranui, and Takapuna, for Wellington ; the Hawea for Port Chalmers and Akaroa. Wellington, Feb. 7. The enquiry into the stranding of the Fusileer was continued, The mate’s evidence corroborated the Captain’s. John Crobby and Henry Barry, able seamen, deposed to the steward telling them on the day previous to the stranding that the Captain had decided to beach the vessel. Robert Hughes, cook and steward of the vessel, who had shipped at New York, stated that just before the ship went ashore he had suspicions that she was going to be lost. About 18 hours before she was beached the chief officer told him he was afraid the vessel was going on shore. On Tuesday evening he overheard a convesation between the Captain and mate. The captain said he thought he would put her ashore, and the mate replied that if he had the money the captain possessed he would put the barque ashore. Witness did not know what money he referred to. The captain further said that the vessel was a Jonah to her owners and was sinking money, He had his suspicions about the intention of the master, and one evening preceding the disaster he went into the store-room for the purpose of listening to the conversation. Mince the vessel had gone on shore he might have said that he would make it as hot as he could for the captain. It was not a fact that he had over and over again said that he would make it warm for the master. Donald McDonald boatswain, deposed that he did not think the vessel could be saved. Wm. Robb, seaman, who had shipped at Wellington said, from what he had seen and heard, he thought that the barque was not to reach Adelaide. He thought it suspicions to keep her so close to Terawhiti, For the defence, a pilot who took the vessel out, was called. He proved the vessel was very poor in beating from Point Halswell to Worsers Bay. He had to make eleven beards, while the usual number was only four, she had the tide with her and • smooth sea. Two other witnesses were called. At 5.30 the Court retired, and after three quarters of an hour’s deliberation, returned with the following judgment ;—“ We think the stranding resulted from the leewardly qualities of the ship, from the heavy weather she encountered, and from the wind repeatedly heading her, We think the course the captain held on the 15th ult,, is open to difference of opinion, but do not consider it such an error of judgment under the circumstances as calls for censure. We do think the absence of precaution in heaving the log improper, but we do not think it was an impropriety which caused this casualty, About the conduct of the mate there is no question. The certificate of both officers are returned to them, We do not think it necessary to notice the imputations suggested by some of the witnesses. No order is made as to the costs,”