OTAGO HARBOR COLLISION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 111, 1 May 1908, Page 2

OTAGO HARBOR COLLISION.

TIIE INQUIRY. Per Press Association. Dunedin, Last Night. The inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the collision in the lower harbor on the night of the 18th instant between the Lady Roberts, defence boat, and Matakana, motor fishing boat, was commenced at Port Chalmers this morning. Mr. O. C. Graham, S.M., presided, and Captains Forbes and Woebliug were the nautical assessors, Mr. Fraser appeared for the Marine Department,, Mr. llanlon for the commander of the Lady Roberts "(Captain Cashmah), and Mr. J Jay for the owner of the fishing boat (Joseph Coddoi). Lieut.-Colonel Smyth appeared on 'behalf of the Defence Department. The evidence of Captain Caslunan was to the effect that the Lady Roberts had all her lights burning. He first saw the Matakana when from 100 to 130 yards distant. If the fishing boat hatl kept on her course the Lady Roberts would have cleared it by 130 feet. When about thirty yards seporated tho boats the Matakana altered her course and attempted to cross the bow of the other boat. Captain Cashman put the engines full speed astern, and the helm starboard. but the collision was inevitable. The .Matakana was coming along on the port or wrong side of the channel, and the accident was solely due to her attempting to cross the bow of the Lady Roberts. Evidence was also given by .lames Daly, .fames Martin, and Captain Gardner (Royal Artillery) to the effect that the collision was inevitable. The evidence given by those oil the Matakana showed some doubt as to who had the tiller of the boat at the time. The owner of the launch stated he was attending to the engine and did not go astern. He thought a young fellow named Peters was steering. The evidence also showed there was a keg of lyeer on the boat, but all the party were stated to be perfectly sober. The police evidence showed the owner of the boat was sober at 10.10 p.m., about an hour before the boat left Port Chalmers.