A NAUTICAL INQUIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 11 April 1907, Page 2

A NAUTICAL INQUIRY.

THE LOSS OF THE TE ABOHA. l'er Press Association. Auckland, April 1(1. An inquiry into the foundering of the woode I paddle, steamer To Arolia (50 tons), off Whangarei Heads ou April 1, opene-.l this afternoon. The •evidence showed (he vessel was bound from Auckland to tin; Waikato River, via the North Cape, and tluit she was leaking badly oil' I'ort Ronney. Captain Jlincham, who had charge for the trip, .said the Winn under the covering board on deck had opened so wide that one's hand oould luive been thrust iu. He considered tint the vessel was unseaworthy, on account of certain repairs which" had been .ordered to be effected, not bavin" been caivied out. lie went to sea on th° assumption that the work ordered and charged for had been done. Had he suspected that repairs had not been carried out, lie would not have gone to sea. George Tee, engineer, said the vessel made un inch ot water an hour in smooth water after leaving Auckland. There was no pump attached to the engine, rnd (he hand pump on deck had broken down. Buckets were used to bale the steamer out. Alex. Allison, manager of the Devonport Steamship Company, said (lie steuin?r, which had been on a slip for several years, was recently sold to E. Hallett, ot Jlercier, for X 1;)0 as she was. with all faults. A surveyor was to sav what repairs were necessary, and the company was to have them'effected at Hallett s expense. Ihe vessel was seaworthy, but she required "nursing." Heavy M esiharilt, Ciovernment Snr gave particulars of the repairs ordered by him. lie was satisfied that the vessel was seaworthy, and fit to underta.ee the voyage by "nursing'," ljut not to put to sea in rough weather, 'the inquiry wan adjourned till tomorrow,