KIA ORA INQUIRY.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8859, 9 July 1907, Page 2

KIA ORA INQUIRY.

Per Press AsscQ-.aticn. . Auckland, July 8. Samuel Campbell Pratt, labourer, of Aramoho, Wanganui, a passenger by the Kia Ora, stated that ho saw Do Wolfe in the smoking cabin of the K}a Ora after leaving Waitara. Mr Mays; What was bis condition?—l thought he was under tho influence of liquor. On what did yon base your opinion?—From the way ho staggered , about the cabin against the table. Was he fit to have charge of the ship?—l did not think he was. • You saw him on the bridge deck after tho wreck. What were his movements?—He was standing when I first saw him and appeared to have hazy looks about him. Yon are the first who has said there was anything wrong with Mr De Wolfe after tho wreck. You are attacking his character in a most vital way, therefore he careful. What makes you say there was 8 hazy look about him? —By the look of his eyes. , , . ■ Mr Earle: At 3 o’clock m the morning, by the light of kerosen| lamp, would you he surprised to learn that you and other passengers looked a trifle hazy?—No._ Do you kuow it he carried out his orders well?—I do not understand ship’s orders or sailors’ work. Yet you have tho cheek to stand there and criticise this man’s work? —Yos. Continuing, witness said he never hoard the cause of tho wreck stated or suggested. Passengers who went across to Kawhia discussed tho chief offloer f s condition in going through the hush to Nukuhaka Bay, but he did not kuow who started tho discussion. It was remarked that Do Wolfe was tho worse for liquor, tho iour passengers agreeing in the statement. At Kawhia nothing was said about the condition of tho chief officer. He did not wish to make a statement. _ . Mr Kettle: Why not?—l did not want to hurt his feelings. . Did it occur to yon that it might have been owing to his condition that this trouble arose? —I thought it might have occurred. You'deliberately kept your mouth shut because you did not want to get Do Wolfe into trouble?—Yes. Mr Earlo: Why did you open your month?—AJpoliceman came to mo m Wanganui and said that other passeugers hud mado Btutcmouts and asked me for one. Did he give you any indication of what tho other statements were?— None whatever. . Mr Mays: The police were specially warned against that. Mr Earlo: Did you kuow that charges of drunkenness had been made against De Wolfe?—No. Did the policnian or did yon first suggest intoxication? —He asked me what condition ho was in. Did tho policeman give yon to understand that statements had been made against De Wolfe or not?—l don’tFrcmomber. Ho had made Ins statement voluntarily, and was per- ' fectly satisfied Do Wolfe was unfit to ho in charge of tho ship. Wm. Dunning, fireman, called by 1 Mr Earle, said that on tho evening tho vessel loft the chief officer called him at about- 7 o’clock and asked him to call him (Do Wolfe) at 9, saying he was going to turn in. ' De Wolfe then went into his cabin. Witness told Hodgson the fireman on watch from 8 to 13, to call the ’ mate, who was quite sober when speaking to witness. Mr Kettle: Have yon ever seefi him under Jlie influence of liquor— No; neven . - Continuing, tho witness said Do Wolfe had a peculiar walk, swaying from side to side. He saw De Wolfe several times a day, and could swear 1. there was nothing abnormal about 1 his condition. After the ship struck ’ ho again saw De Wolfe, who was 1 getting out tlio bout, und seemed exactly as usual. At the Kia Ora inquiry to-day Oapt. Stott, acting-agent for Northern Steam Company at Waitara, stated that he frequently saw Do Wolfe while the steamer was at Waitara just previous to the wreck De 1 Wolfe was apparently very had with 1 influenza but showed no signs of m--1 toxicatiou. He contradicted the ■ statement that De Wolfe while at 1 Waitara was drinking with Captain Blacklock.