KIA ORA INQUIRY.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8855, 4 July 1907, Page 2

KIA ORA INQUIRY.

More Sensational Statements. I?er Press Association. j Auckland, July 3. Morris was asked if De Wolfe'had any drink on the day of the wreck and replied that he may have had two or three glasses, but ho was not the worse for ; liquor, he was not half drunk, but later . said Do Wolfe’s conversation did not : show he had been having any drink, and ; later said he noticed no signs of intoxi- : cation on Do Wolfe. Morris said ho could not account for tho Kia Ora getting , into the position that caused the wreck, j Thomas Cavanagh, of Marakopo, who ' was a passenger, said he saw De Wolfe , staggering and saw Do Wolfe and Bagg- j strom in the saloon, the former with two i bottles in his hand and the latter with one. They were whisky bottles and 1 empty. Thcv had them tilled and started drinking. After the wreck witness found himself in the water on a bag of chaff and got hold of the boat in which the others were and heard a voice say “ You can’t get into the boat.” The voice appeared to bo that of the chief mate. There were then two dogs in the boat and they were kept in it and landed. After the evidence of Morris, the man at the wheel, Mr Earl suggested that Petersen, chief steward, be called. Mr Mays: He is going to be confronted 'with very serious allegations indeed, and I will give him a chance of hearing them first. Petersen then said he was quite prepared to answer any questions put to him. He said that the Kia Ora had a packet license and the bar was run under the Company’s rules, liquor being supplied by the Company, witness receiving the profit. On the night of the wreck ho only opened the bar once and as far as ho recollected _ only three passengers had a drink. He did not serve any of the crew and did not remember serving any officers. Mr Mays : Will you swear there were no signs of liquor observable on De Wolfe when ho went round for the tickets. Witness: Well, you got me down to tho police station before the Inspector and told me that it I repeated the evidence I had given I would be charged with perjury. Mr Earl: What? That is a most improper thing. Witnesses are being intimidated and told that they will be prosecuted for perjury. <■ Mr Mays: You are taking the witness words as truth. He explained that there had been no intimidation. At 11.30 p. in. on. Saturday there suddenly came word from witness -that De Wolfe was muddled with drink. As Petersen was the only man who had been asked about ' the sobriety of the crow he therefore qs a 1 favour let him knoiy the nature of thg • evidence he proposed to call, and im- ■ pressed upon him that he was liable to be ■ charged with perjury if he adhered to his , former statements. Ho was not in any way frightened or intimidated. Mr Kettle: Has tho interview caused you in any way to amend your statements ? Only that I"would not swear positively 1 that I did not servo any of the officers J that night. One of the men I served ' might have been an officer. Mr Mays stated that the evidence of passengers whom ho would call seemed to prove beyond doubt that (ho officer was intoxicated and was off: the bridge any time from 9.30 till midnight. All the witnesses, Mr Mays continued, said De Wolfe was drunk when he came for tickets, and was unfit to bo in charge oftbosbio. The same witness declared that in the boat De Wolfo said, '* I don’t know where I am and I don’t know what to do.” He and Baggstrom got lost m the bush next day, and when found by three passengers did not recognise them, barefooted and battered as they were, as passengers but told them tho startling news that the Kja Ora was wrecked. Tho story of what took place ou the beach was a terrible indictment, The passengers got little of the food from Marakopa. One of the crow snatched a blanket from a half-clad woman and they made a shelter for themselves with it, leaving her out in the cold. The amended notice of investigation served upon the first officer, Mr T, U. De Wolfe, stated that tho following question was to be submitted to the Court! Whether the loss of tho said ship and consequent loss of life was not duo directly or indirectly to gross acts of misconduct, drunkenness, or default upon your part ? Continuing his evidence Cavanagh said he “ was disgusted with the whole orowd.” There was no fog at 11 o’clock and none when the vessel struck. His cross-examination was at counsel’s request. ■ ■ Mr .Baggstrom (engineer): May I ask what religion this gentleman belongs to•- - : j ■

Magistrate : Yes. Baggstrom (to Cavanagh) : What religion are you ?

Witness; Roman Catholic, ilaggstroiq : How can you on your oa{h wear to' such ungodly lies.' ‘ The Magistrate said siich a stylo of oxamiiiatiofi could not be allowed. In further reply to Baggstrom he said he adhered to his statement.

To Petersen, Ggvanagh said he gave him fl bottle of whisky at Waitara. To the Bench, witness said he was sober when ho went aboard and remained so the whole time.

After evidence by William McFarlane, and Mclntosh, another passenger, corroborating Cavanagh’s statement, the enquiry was adjourned till to-morrow afternoon.