EGYPT INQUIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 August 1922, Page 5

EGYPT INQUIRY.

THE LASCARS’ BEHAVIOUR. “LIKE BEATEN DOGS.” By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, August 2. At the Egypt inquiry, Captain Carr, Indian Army, said he noticed a native with a boat hook pushing off in a lifeboat. Carr shouted to him to stop, but the man took no notice. Witness jumped from the hurricane deck to the falls, got into the after end of the boat, and gave orders that all should sit down -and remain quiet. The natives started to jostle him, so he drew his revolver and ordered them forward. The man with the boat hook swung it in his direction. Witness warned him that if he did not sit down he would shoot them, he shot over their heads, and the natives sat down. Captain Franklin, in an affidavit, described how a boat containing ladies capsized through the natives jumping into it. The natives were not violent, but were terror-stricken. Received August 3, 5.5 p.m. London, August 2. At the Egypt inquiry, other passengers’ affidavits were read. One declared that boat-loads of Lascars rowed away from the vessel, notwithstanding protests by passengers. Another stated that the natives behaved like beaten dogs in the boats. Captain Ramon, the company’s dock superintendent, recalled, gave evidence that he had never taken special steps to impress on officers the necessity for the crew’s proficiency in boat drill. The company’s practice was to leave the responsibility to the commanders.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.