KIA ORA INQUIRY.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8854, 3 July 1907, Page 2

KIA ORA INQUIRY.

More Sensational Statements. Per Press Association. Auckland, July 3. The Kia Ora inquiry was resumed at 10 this morning. Mr Mays,- solicitor for the Crown, asked for an adjournment for two hours to await the arrval of tire witness Morris, who was at the wheel from 10 p.m. to midnight, when tho disaster occurred. Mr Mays said later developments made it more essential than ever that this man’s evidence ho taken as soon as possible. Mr Mays added: The state of things is almost indescribable, something fearful, and I am anxious to take tho evidence of Morris, tho first minute ho arrives.” Mr Mays said further that ho wanted '.time tQ serve amended notice of iuvestigation ou Do Wolfo, chiot oflicor of tl-0 Kia Ora, and ou tho Northern Steamship Company. The case was adjourned till 10.45, by which time it is expected Morris will be ready. Tho Kia Ora enquiry was resumed to-day. Joseph Morris was closely quostioued as to whether ho had a con. versatiou with any; one concerning the wreck. Ho said ho had not uutil ho asked Mr Kueon in court and the chief officer said ho was off tho bridge during the watch. This was followed by questions by Mr Mays, solicitor, and Mr Kettle, S.M., as to Morris’s sobrietv and Morris replied that ho had not drunk anything for mouths. Though warned of tho punishment for perjury Morris persisted iu the statement that he had not spoken to Kueeu before bo came into court. Morris was closely questioned as to whether ho had said that the chief officer left tho bridge ■ any time while he was ou watch, i Morris replied that the chief office? > left tho bridge- for' a’ second or tvygl > Porbes and Partridge came ou thft * bridge and tho chief officer escorted > them to the' lower deck, Morris

denied having told two passengers, Taveruy and Mclntosh, that he was in Do Wolfe’s watch from 10 to 13 and that De Wolfe was off the bridge for nearly two hours, while witness was at tho wheel.