AUSTRALIAN.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4759, 8 April 1884, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN.

Sydney, Yesterday. Arrived, last night: The Union steam ship Tarawera, from Auckland.

The recent heavy rainfall continues, but is principally confined to the coast dis» tricts.

Melbourne, Yesterday. The Fort Phillip Collision. During the examination at the AdelaideWairarapa inquiry to-day, Mr Turnbull, the Adelaide agent, testified that no arrangement had been made for a race between the two vessels. He visited the Wairarapa on the previous day, when the Union Company's agent jokingly suggested to the engineer that he should show the Adelaide a clean pair of heels on the trip down the bay. It was consequently decided to delay the departure of the Adelaide in order to avoid a race, and the subsequent starting together was accidental. —Capt. Lockyer, of the Ade» laide, testified that on arriving at Williamstown the pilot on board the Wairarapa shouted from the bow that they were waiting for the Adelaide, and he replied, "All right." The Wairarapa then whistled, and the Adelaide did the same, and went full speed ahead,—Turnbull and Lockyer both deposed to bad steering on board the Wairarapa.—Mr Popham, chief officer of the Wairarapa, stated that the Wairarapa did not wait for the Adelaide, and declared that the Wairarapa steered splendidly, and kept a straight course, and that the Adelaide yawed about. His evidence was corroborated by that of the third mate, Mr Anderson.