DUNEDIN HARBOUR COLLISION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9134, 1 May 1908, Page 5

DUNEDIN HARBOUR COLLISION.

NAUTICAL INQUIRY. . Per., Press Association Dunedin, April 30. An inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the collision in the lower harbour, ou the night of the 18th iust. between the Lady Roberts defence boat and the Matakaua motor fishing boat, was commenced at Port Chalmers this morning. The evidence of Capt. Cashman was to the effect that the Lady Roberts had all her lights burning. He first saw the Matakaua when from 100 to 130 yards distant. If the fishing boat had*kept on her course tlm Lady Roberts would have cleared it by 130 feet. When about 30 yards separated the boats, the Matakaua altered her course and attempted to cross the bow of the other boat. Oapt. Cashman then put the engines full speed astern, and the helm to starboard, but the collision was inevitable. The Matakaua was coming along on the port, or wrong side of tiro channel, and the accident was solely due to her attempting to cross the bows of the Lady Roberts. Evidence was also given by Jas. Daly, y Jas. Martin, and Capt. Gardner (Royal Artillery) to the effect that the collision was inevitable.

The evidence given by these on the Matakaua showed some doubt as to who had the tiller olMhe boat at the time. The owner of the launch stated that he was attending to the engine and did not go astern. He thought a young fellow named Peters was steering. The evidence also showed that there was a keg of beer ou the boat, but all the party were stated to be perfectly sober.” The police evidence showed that the owner of the boat was sober at 10.10 p.m., about an hour before the boat left Port Chalmers.