WRECK OF THE KIA ORA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 24 July 1907, Page 2

WRECK OF THE KIA ORA.

LATEST TELEGRAMS

FINDING OF THIS COURT. Per Press Association. I Auckland, July 23. Tho finding of the Court of Inquiry regarding the wreck of the Ivia Ora was delivered this morning.

Captain Blacldock is entirely exonerated. The certificate of the second officer and the chief engineer are to be returned. '

Tlie certificate of tho chief officer was forwarded to Wellington, the Court finding that he was somewhat intoxicated at the time of the wreck, but thaft the evidence was no sufficient to justify a finding as to tho real cause of the disaster.

The decision was the unanimous opinion of the Court. It stated that there was no evidence to justify the finding that the compass was out of order; on the contrary, the evidence in their opinion warranted the conclusion that it wan in good order. The evidence did not justify the conclusion that the current or set would lnwe carried the vessel seven miles out of her course. No allegation was made against the second officer or any of the other seamen. De Wolfe admitted that he left the bridge for a few niimiteß and called the lookout from his post and order-id him to take charge of the bridge while he was away. In the Court's opinion Pa Wolfe was not justified in leaving

the bridge or in taking the lookout from his post- In doing so he committed a grave breach of duty. The Court thought ; it was highly probable Do Wolfe was 1 off the bridge between 10 p.m. and midnight much longer than he was prepared to admit,and that during his absence Morris failed to keep the vessel on the course set; and that while De Wolfe was on the bridge he did not keep a vigilant watch and see that the vessel ■ was kept on her proper course. Tho second officer, who relieved De Wolfe at midnight, stated that during his wateh the course north-quarter-east was carefully maintained. The Court had no reason to doubt the accuracy of fiis testimony. The Court was of opinion, after having carefully weighed the coaflicting evidence, that De Wolfe was somewhat intoxicated when he took over the watch from Captain Blackloek at 10 p.m., but it was difficult to find the truth. All the Court could say was that tho evidence was not sufficiently conclusive and satisfactory to justify them in finding that De Wolfe did drink more liquor on the vessel after she sailed. The true cause of the .vessel's deviation from her course was not demonstrated to the Court's entire satis- I faction, the evidence not being sufficient to justify them in finding that the loss of the vessel was caused by the wrongful act or default of De Wolfe., The evidence, however, showed that De Wole had been disrated and later dismissed from drunkenness. It was provided that if any certificated officer was from incompetency or misconduct unfit to discharge Eis duties the Minister might order an enquiry in a Court of Summary Jurisdiction, which had power to cancel his certificate. After the report the Minister might consider it desirable to direct such an enquiry.

The complaint that the crew occupied the best, positions under the shelter on the beacli had not been established. Somo passengers eomplnined that Dr. Wylie did not give Sue attention to them, but after the doctor's evidence, the complaints, made In the Court's opinion under a misapprehension, were practically withdrawn. The Court waß satisfied he did everything possible. The Court forwarded De Wolfe's certiflcat to tho Minister for Marine. The Court ordered the costs of the inquiry to be paid by the Northern S.S. Co. and Mr. De Wolfe. The evidence taken and the exhibits therein referred to arc t,o be forwarded to the Minister for Marine. The Court returned the certificates of Messrs Jas. Robertson, second officer, mid TO. L. Bagsstrom, chief engineer. The Court wisiied to express its highest appreciation of tho services rcn- I dorral by the settlers, mul hoped that their services would bo suitably recognised and rewarded. Great credit was j due to Constable McCarthy and Mr | •Holmes for the part they took in assisting the settlers, and afterwards in searching for the bodies of the drowned. The costs of the erquiry total over £2OO.