THE WIMMERA INQUIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 August 1918, Page 5

THE WIMMERA INQUIRY.

By Telegraph.—Press Auckland, Auguflfc& The Wimmem inquiry was .anrtipuL, to-day. Joseph Donaghy, aible seaman, dejwfied that he took the wheel at 4 am- fjusn Hpbertson, A.8., who gave the owne N. Si W- Iby compass. The explosion seemed to come from the starboard quarter. He heard the chief officer caH out , "Mines," and saw ham going apparently to call the captain. Then came the second explosion, perhaps more severe than the first. It brought down the wSb»Ubs apparatus. Wilson, second officer, recalled, paid that from conversations to had with the captain and other officers he believed they were of the opinion tfhat the mines were laid between the Three Kings and Cape Maria. The course the Wrmmeral . took would take them outside tha# I<H cality. He knew the captain thought he was on a safe course on the previous trip, when mine-sweepers were sighted. The collector of customs deposed to an interview with Captain Kelto the day before he sailed, and to a convexs&r tion with reference to the Admiralty instructions. Captain Kelts said he did not require a copy of the amended ifi" structions, which did not refer to M* vessel.

Witness contradicted tho statement,of i the second officer that there was BO ex* animation of the cargo. All th> caqp ' was) examined.