STRANDING OF THE MOHAKA.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2489, 12 March 1881, Page 2

STRANDING OF THE MOHAKA.

[Bt Teleobaph.] Blenheim, March 11. At the enquiry yesterday into the stranding of the steamer Mohaka, the captain deposed that he had often heard the surf five miles from the beach and thought it might have been heard as far on the morning in question. It was his custom to be in charge when the surf was heard. He had no lead line on board, only a long poll to sound the bars. The night was very clear when he got on deck. On this occasion the mate did not call him as usual. The Mohaka was the first vessel on which Ecksford (the mate) had been an officer. Witness had always found him a careful and sober man. Thomas Ecksford deposed that he held a mate’s certificate, granted by the Marine Department in January last. He had made 12 or 13 trips to and from Wellington. He was never at sea before with Steward. He was a wharf hand at Wellington, and had

teen engaged for the voyage, the Captain being ill. He expected Steward to steer the vessel till 4 o'clock, when he estimaed they would be 8- miles off the bar. Steward told him he had been over to Lyttelton before. , The noise of the engines would prevent the surf from being heard. The surf might be seen a quarter of a mile off on a clear night. Steward, the seaman at the wheel when she ran ashore, gave evidence. The other witnesses were Clark, the fireman, and Murray, engineer. After a short retirement, the Court decided, to return Captain Symonds’ * certificate, but the mate Ecksford they suspended during the G-overnor’s pleasure.