THE TAINUI INQUIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 October 1919, Page 8

THE TAINUI INQUIRY.

IfAUTIC&L ENQUIRY OPENS.

BJ Telegraph.—Press Association. Chjistchurch, Oct. 10. ■•' The* Statical inquiry in connection 'with the loss of the. coastal steamer Tainni on September 15 commenced at Itfttelton to-day before Mr S. E. JaVCartby, S.M., and three assessors. Mr Raymond, who appeared for the Minister of Marine, said he intended to submit to the court the following questions:— (1) Whether the regulations regarding the shipment and carriage at sea of -perolenm were complied with. (2) Whether due care was exercised $n the storage of the petroleum. .. ..(3) Whether, the,ship was.safe and .suitable for the conYeyance of petroleum.*' (<) Whether Jthe tina and cases containing .the petroleum were leaking so ' as to render it unsafe for the vessel to,put to sea. ' (S) Whether the boat' an<l life-saving appliance were efficient and available. : Wmiam Henry Farrand, cook of the Tainni and sole survivor, gave evidence that the benzine tins were leaking when ie saw them.but he thought the cargo was well stored. He was awakened at 8.30 on the morning of the disaster - I>y three explosions -and, going on deck, found the fore hatches blown off and enveloped in names. The master gave orders to lower the boat and the engines were stopped. Afterwards the (boat was'swamped. No attempt was made to subdue the flames as. the master considered it useless. m '-'■■., Christchurch, Last Night.

" CoMfrrainfc his evidence before the takutieal influrry, Farrand said that the cargo seemed to be well stowed and there wa» no likelihood of the ploughs Butting. TheTe was very little swell lon the sea, when the fire.broke out. 'At-4 aaoi the after part of the ship was sol ,t*ocbed by fire. • There was no boat drill' while he was in the ship. It was not possible that members of the efeVloat &eir lives through the frail Kfeline.carrynie «**!■ The . ■otdlwm"". ,*e heard, sounded as if cominjr from the forward i»tch. He could not swear ttt*t it •«s the boiler he heard blowtag np when he- was in the water, but (Stevens, fthe mate, said it was the; boiler. ' ~ ■ .~; Evidence/similar to that given at the inquest was tepdered by (Sergeant Seojt WaACaptß.ni William Williamson; the latter, in cross+xamination, .said, that when in Wellington.with the, Tainni- in -"Kovember last, he received-instructions «n the Refrigerating to proceed to Wanganni in contravention cif the" daylight silling reflations foT the wivieattani ofeCook Strait. Jbei Tanrof' labored helVily in the sea way Mr Young: Howmany degrees would "•he roll! „ , I. , Witness. Oh, She would nearly, turn titAt round. ; ! ■■ ,-., To Mr Bnchanjw witness said that togau refused toT*il « # Taltiui «J> •rimam because he, oonmd. eted the boat* was not seaworthy*. The enquiry* wbieb wftradjonrned- antil.the Monday will probablv extend over a week." There are at least 2T witnesses to be called but most of the evidence will be a repetition of that given at the coroner's inquest. ;