WRECK OF THE KIA ORA.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8466, 17 June 1907, Page 5

WRECK OF THE KIA ORA.

By Telegraph—Press Association. NEW PLYMOUTH, June 15. No further particulars are available regarding the loss of life at the Kia Ora wreck. The shipping office only accounts for 32 passengers and crew having left Waitara, so that if this is correct five passengers have been lost. Most likely, however, some went aboard without booking and already one survivor turned up at Kawhia whose name does not appear on the passenger list, and it may be that the second steward's estimate of 35 aboard is a correct one. Magnus Forbes, who was drowned while swimming to a boat, was a wellknown Taranaki farmer, who had also a large holding in the Kawhia district. As offering an explanation of the Kia Ora being closer in shore than she ought to have been, it is suggested that there is a stronger set towards the shore than there used to b<?. This has been noticed lately by Captain Norbury and Captain Hood. The latter also points out that, contrary to the old theory that the current on the coast sets northward, the ] .only wreckage from the Kia Ora yet found was picked up several miles .southward. ' _ By Telegraph—Press.Association. AUCKLAND, June 15. A telegram from Kawhia states that three survivors, named Pratt, Barraday, and Henderson, have just arrived there in a sorry plight. With the exception of these and nine men taken aboard the Rarawa, the survivors are still on the beach. By Telegraph—Press Association. NEW PLYMOUTH, June 16. One of the Kia Ora's passengers, named W. Lash, arrived at Waitara on Saturday by the launch Kotahi, from Marokopa. In his account of the disaster he states that, on the vessel striking, coffee was immediately ordered, and served to the women and children. He states there were eleven aboard the raft, and twenty on the boat. This accounts for three more saved, and would reduce the loss of life to five at the most. One passenger, named Kayanagh, was picked up floating on -a bale of chaff tw* 1 hours after the> wreck. Partridge was the passenger who had one of hi* legs broken. IHe was picked up in the water, and the leg was temporarily set byVEngineer Riggstroom, who was also' icohsidel'ably hurt The survivors oh the boat sang "Home, Sweet Home," arid other songs, the stewardess, Miss Kellar, inspiring confidence by leading them. Her conduct is highly fepoken of. She collapsed on reaching the shore. ,A late telegram from Kawhia anticipates difficulty in bringing the survivors there, owing to the almost impassible tracks. No bodies have yet been recovered. By Telegraph—Press Association. AUCKLAND, June 16. Thomas Chambers, an A.B. on the Kia Ora, in an interview. said: —"When the crash came we all rushed on deck, got the boats' ready and swung them out. The two boats were swung out, and women and children put into one and got away safely. While we were getting one boat under way, the other went about and got smashed. The poop-deck was submerged first, and then the captain's bridge went, under. Two others (the captain included) and myself were getting off, the top, of the bridge when a sea caught us and carried us away. I was thrown orr* to the side and the captain into the middle of the bridge. Then I was carried away, and partly sucked down by the water. I got hold of ah oar, and did not see any more of the captain." He further stated that he was one of those who got on the raft. There was no great excitement and-no panic. The forbearance of all right through, especially; the women, he says was most noteworthy. Chambers says that 27 were saved, but he could not tell the pames. Similar statements were made by other' members of the crew. ■••" Mr G. - Ranson,' manager for the Northern Company - says that the others-will be got off without delay. T&e engagement of the crew tsrminates with the loss of the vessel, but the Company will be responsible for any of the crew who may need to go to the hospital. .