THE LOST WARATAH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 367, 19 April 1910, Page 5

THE LOST WARATAH.

EVIDENCE AT THE ENQUIRY. CONFLICTING STATEMENTS. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Received April 10, i a.m. Melbourne, Last Night. Evidence was taken in Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide, in connection with the loss of the Waratah, for forwarding to the Board, of Trade.' The evidence was of a conflicting character. A seaman who made a voyage on the Waratah gave evidence to the effect that he had been warned by other seamen not to join the vessel. When in Adelaide he helped to paint two boats. One, he said, was so soft and rotten that he could put his hand through the wood at the bottom. The chief officer told them not to step too hard on the bottoms. They had boat drill once a •week only, and took the covers off, but never lifted the boats out of their chocks. The Waratah, foe said, rolled heavily and recovered badly, with difficulty keeping an even keel. Another seaman, who joined in London, stated that when he asked the chief officer for a berth, the latter advised him to get other work if possible, because the Waratah would be a coffin for somebody some day. The witness declared that the boat rolled badly, especially to leeward. She had a list during the whole of the voyage. A coal-trimmer, examined, expressed the belief that the Waratah was top'heavy. He had been told that trimmers in Sydney refused to trim tie vessel because of her one-sidedness. Other witnesses declared that there was nothing unusual about the Waratah, and that they had heard the captain and ofP""rs express favorable opinions regarding the vessel's behaviour. The pilot at Williamstown deposed that when he left the vessel on her last voyage she had no list, while -the captain and officers made no complaints. FURTHER SUPPOSITION. By Telegraph—Presi Anociation. Westport, Last Night. Mr. Crowther, Collector of Customs, has obtained further evidence of statements made by the second engineer aboard the s.s. Tottenham to three -.veilknown Westport citizens, confirming the statements made by Mr. Day. The second officer, of that steamer said to a Westport "News' reporter that the s'.s. Tottenham, some ten clays after the s.s. Waratah was renorted missing, passed several bodies and pieces of bodies floating on the water.

Mr. Crowtiier is forwarding this evidence to the Marine Department, which is sending it, and evidence previously given by Mr. Day, on to the. Board of Trade.