KIA ORA WRECK INQUIRY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8478, 4 July 1907, Page 5

KIA ORA WRECK INQUIRY.

START LING ALLEGATIONS.

By Telegraph—Press Association,

AUCKLAND, July 3.

I The Kia Ora wreck enquiry was resumed at 10 o'clock, this morning, when Mr Mays, solicitor for the Crown asked for an adjournment of two hours to await the arrival of the witness Morris, who was at the wheel of the Kia Ora from 10 p.m. to midnight on the night of the disaster. Mr Mays said later developments made it more essential than ever that this man's evidence should be taken as soon as possible. Mr Mays said: "Thestate of things is almost indescribable something fearful—and 1 am anxious to take the evidence of Morris the first minute he arrives.'J He further stated that he wanted time to serve an amended notice of investigation on De Wolfe, chief officer of the Kia Ora. and on the Northern Steamship Company, owners of the vessel. The case was adjourned till 10.45, by which time it was expected Morris would be ready. When the enquiry was resumed, Joseph Morris was closely questioned as to whether he had had a conversation- with any one concerning the wreck. He said he had not until he asked Mr Kneen in court if the chief officer had said he was off the bridge during the watch. This was followed by questions by Mr Mays and Mr Kettle, S.M., as to Morris' sobriety. Morris replied that he had not drunk anything for a month. Though warned of the punishment for perjury Morris persisted in this statement. He had not spoken to Kneen before he came into court. Morris was clossly questioned as to whether he said that the chief officer left the bridge at any time while he was on watch. Moi'ris replied that the chief officer left the bridge for a second or two. Forbes and Partridge came on the bridge, and the chief officer escorted them to the lower deck. Morris denied having told two passengers, Tavernv and

M'lntosh that he was in De Wolfe's watch from ten to twelve, and that I De Wolfe was off the bridge for nearly two hours while witness was at the wheel. Morris was asked if De Wolfe had any drink on the day of the wreck, and replied: "He may have had two or three glasses, but he was not worse for liquor. He was not half-drunk." Later the witness said De Wolfe's conversation did not show he had been having any drink and still later witness sair? he noticed no signs of intoxication on De Wolfe. Morris said he could not account for the Kia Ora getting into the position that caused the wreck.

By Telegraph— Press Association.

AUCKLAND, July 3. After the evidence of Morris, Mr Earl suggested that Petersen, the chief steward, should be called. Mr Mays: He is going to be confronted with very serious allegations indeed, and I will give him a chance of hearing them first.

Petersen then said Re was quite prepared to answer any questions put to him now. He stated that the Kia Ora had a packet license bar, which was run under the company's rules, liquor being supplied by the company, and witness receiving the profit. On. the night of the wreck he only opened the bar once. As far as he coul d recollect only three passengers had drink. He did not serve any of the crew, and did not remember serving any of the officers. Mr Mays : Will you swear there were no signs of liquor observable on De Wolfe when he went round for the tickets.

Witness: Well, you got me down to the police station before the inspector and told me if I repeated the evidence I had given I will be charged with perjury. Mr Earl: What? That is a most improper thing. Witnesses are being intimidated and told that they will be prosecuted for perjury. Mr Mays: You are taking witness' words as the truth. He explained there had been no intimidation. At 11.30 p.m. on Saturday, there suddenly came word from witness that De Wolfe was muddled with drink. As Petersen was the only man who had been asked about the sobriety of the crew, he, therefore, as a favour to him let him know the nature of the evidence he proposed to call, and had impressed upon him that he was liable to be charged wih perjury if he adhered to his former statement. He was not in any way frightened or intimidated. Mr Kettle: Has the interview caused you in any way to amend your statements?

Witness: Only that I would not swear positively that I did not serve any of the officers that night. One of the men I served might have been an officer.

Mr Mays stated that the evidence of the passengers whom he would call seemed to prove beyond doubt that the chief officer was intoxicated and was off the bridge any timo' from 9.30 till midnight. All the witnesses, Mr Mays continued, said De Wolfe was drunk when he came for the tickets, and was unfit to be in charge of a ship. Some witnesses declared that in the boat De Wolfe said: "'I don't know where lam and I don't know what to do." He and Baggstrom got lost in the bush next day, and when found by threa passengers did not recognise them, barefooted and battered.as they were, as passengers, but told them the startling news that the Kia Ora was wrecked. The story of what took place on the beach was a terrible indictment. The passengers got little of the food from Marakope. One of the crew snatched a blanket from a half-clad woman, and they made a shelter for themselves with it, leaving her out in the cold.

The amended notice of the investigation served upon the first officer, Mr T. B. De Wolfe, stated that the was to be submitted to the court: —"Whether the loss pi ).he said ship and consequent lo&r of life was not due directly or indirectly to gross acts of misconduct, drunkenness or default upon your part."

By Telegraph—Press Association. AUCKLAND, June 3. Thomas Cavanagh, of Marakope, who was a passenger, said that he saw De Wolfe staggering. He saw De Wolfe and Baggstrom in the saloon, the former with two bottles in his hand, and tie latter with one. Thsy were whisky bottles and empty. They had them filled, and started drinking. After the wreck witness found himself in the water on a bag of chaff. He got hold of the boat in which the others were, and heard a voice say: "You can't get into the boat." The voice appeared to be the chief mate's. There were then two dogs in the boat and they were kept in it and landed. By Telegraph—Press Association. AUCKLAND, July 3. Continuing his evidence, Cavanagh said he "was disgusted with the whole crowd." These was no fog at ]1 o'clock and none wLen the vessel struck. After evidence was given by William McFarlane Mcintosh, another passenger, corroborating Cavanagh's statement,the inquiry was adjourned till to-morrow afternoon.