KIA ORA WRECK ENQUIRY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8480, 6 July 1907, Page 7

KIA ORA WRECK ENQUIRY.

By Telegraph—Press Association,

AUCKLAND, July 5. The Kia Ora wreck enquiry was resumed to-day. Referring to the statements by the Crown Solicitor that the Rarawa did nothing for the crew, counsel for the company said he would produce invoices showing that the Northern Company spent £2OO on provisions for the people at Nukuhaka Bay. Hugh Lister, second engineer, said that at 2 o'clock in the morning of the wreck the chief engineer was perfectly sober. Elias. Baggstrom, chief engineer, recalled, denied that he went to the saloon" to get whisky. He denounced the statement as to himself and De Wolfe leaving the saloon with three bottles of whisky as a lie. It was so absurd, unholy, and fiendish that he could not express his r feelings unless they could have a ring, which would be more to his liking. Although a Swede, he learned that art Jin England. Baegstrom admitted having two drinks with Captain Blacklock at Waitara, but none after. In answer to the magistrate, Mr ' Mays, for the Crown, asid there was no imputation against the captain or second officer. Baggstrom added that De Wolfe ' was in full possession of his senses, executed all his orders, and took the boat clear of the ship. At the conference of the representatives of all local bodies in the South Wairrapa, held at Greytown, vesterday morning, to consider the question of obtaining a daily railway service for the South Wairarapa, from Featherston to New Plymouth, it was resolved that the conference form itself into a deputation to wait upon the Minister for Railways and urge upon him the desirability of extending the present run of the train, arriving at Masterton at 10 p.m. from Palmerston North, to Featherston, and running an early train from Featherston each morning. After evidence had been given by the second officer (Mr Robertson),who said he saw no sign of drink on De Wolfe, Josephine Kellor, stewardess, was called, and corroborated the story of the officers and crew. Questioned regarding Cavanagh's story, she said his wife was well looked after at the shelter on the shore and-was sitting near the fire at witness' feet. Asked was there anything in the conduct of the crew or passengers she would pronounce selfish, sha said, "Yes, ,one. That was that Mr Cavanagh never lifted a hand to help any one or carried a stick of wood for the fire." She heard Cavanagh make no complaint. The enquiry was adjourned till Monday. -