THE PENGUIN DISASTER.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3116, 16 February 1909, Page 5

THE PENGUIN DISASTER.

A MOURNFUL TASK

BRINGING IN THE DEAD

By Telegraph—Press Association

WELLINGTON, February 15

Tc-day the clouds lifted and the mournful task of bringing in the bodies fr< m 'he scenj of the Penguin wreck was entered upon. One or two had teen carried in yesterday by devoted friends. The Terawhiti went : out at 3.30 with a special crew in charge of Captain Post, of the Tutanekai. The latter ship's surf boat picked up 45 bodies, and had them on the tug by noon. The Terawhiti reached th; harbour at about 2 o'clock, and to avoid the g«3e p f . the curious proceeded to the Mifii- ! mar whart. Here the remain were quickly placed in waiting vehicles, and a S3d procession wended its way along the three miles of roai through Kilbirnie and Newtown to tte Garrison Hall in Buckle street. Arrangements for the funeral were made this afternoon. A conferencs was held between the Attor-ney-Gene2'al, the Mayor - , Mr Kennedy (Union Company) and the Town Clerk, and it was decided that the funeral should leave the Garrison Hall at 10 o'clock to-morrow. Those who so desire may have the bodies of friends buried separately. The remain'der will be buried in separate graves in the Karori Cemetery in the division apportioned to the various religions as nearly as can be ascertained.

A half-holiday will be observed in the morning. Ihe Mayor (Hon. T. W. Hislop), while deprecating public exhibition sof a morbid nature, expresses the opinion that in face o c such a disaster Which may be treated as a national one, fitting observance by the people irf fully justified. An awe-stricken crowd of people ga'hered at the Garrison Hall in Buckle street to witness the infinitely pathetic spectacle of loads of bodies being brought in from Miramar in vehicles. The faces of the drivers of the vehicles spoke of the seriousness of their mission, and as the crowd parted to allow the vehicles to pass into the shed through the' folding doors mere curiobity gave place to reverence and hats were dropped and women paled and stood applied. The police kept the door sternly, and no one who was. not a relative or friend of any of the dead was allowed to enter, so that those of morid tendency and other desiring the mare experience of witnessing an unprecedented sight were debarred. Inside there were improvised tables running the whole length of each side of the Artillery Hall. All the corpses had been carefully sewn in blankets, sails, pieces of canvas and other coverings that were available, and so happily it was impossible to see the poor faces that were bruised and discoloured by the/ terrible buffeting the victims had undergone previous ta death. Even now it is impossible to give a prpci?e statement ot the number of puopl • who were on the vessel when the struck. The latest estimate gives:— Passengers list ... 43 Crew lost ... 29 Saved ... 30 Total cn board ... 164 RELIEF FOR WIDOWS AND ORPHANS. By Telegraph—Press Association. DUNEDIN, February 15. A special meeting of the Shipwreck Relief Society was held today to consider what steps should be taken to render assistance to those who suffered as a result of the wreck of the Penguin. It was decided to telegraph to the Mayor of Wellington asking him to draw on the Society if necessary up to £IOO or more for the purpose of giving assistance to the survivors. It was also decided to ask Messrs Kennedy and Moore (Seamen's Mission, Wellington) to associate themselves with the Mayor in affording relief (the Mayor intends to call a public meeting with a view to raising subscriptions for the widows and orphans of those lost in the wreck. ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS. By Telegraph—Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, February 15. Iri connection with the Penguin disaster the Mayor has sent the following telegram to the Premier: "On behalf of citizens of Christeh'urch, I desire to express heartfelt sympathy with sufferers by the wreck of the Penguin, and with the P'el'ations and .friends of those who lost their lives. Is it required to tfaisfl funds for relief of sufferers? — €.• ALLISON, Mayor." The friends of Mr John Seed, of Southbrook, received intimation by telegram that his body had been identified by a young man, named G. Campbell, who knew him well. Mr Seed, in addition to the flaxworks at Southbrook, had a miil in the Nelson district, and this he had been vfeiting, and was returning by the Penguin. He was a son of Mr James Seed, who established the flax and twine works at Southbrook, and was well known and highly respected. His widow is a daughter'of Mr Martin of Southbrook, and he has

seven children. Mr Chsrl ,>s Bird, who was amongst those lost, was the fourth son of the late Mr Geo. Bird, for many years on the literary staff of the "Press." He was educated at the West Christchurch School, and was for some time a teacher at the Sydenham School. Ultimately he became a commercial traveller, and went to Wellington, where he was connected with the business of the late Mr John MacGinnity, wine and spirit merchant. After this he joined the firm of Messrs T. and W. Young, wine and spirit merchants, and travelled for them on the West Coast. He was well-known in football circles, and played as a junior in the Southern Club and later in the Club. For his weight (9st 71n) Bird was one of the cleverest j five-eighths ever seen here. In Wellington lie was a member of the Wellington Football Club, and also played lor the province In the repfe* sentative matches.

There have been many inquiries by people who fear that friends were on the ill-fated steamer, but who have found it impossible' to get definite information.

Mr Bernard Cahill, of Riccarton, who it was supposed had been on board the Penguin, telegraphed to Christchurch to-day, saying that he had not left, and was coming overland to Christchurch. The relatives of Mr William Britten, of Christchurch, a commercial traveller in the employ of Messrs Tyree and Co , boot manufacturers, Lichfield btreet, fear that he was one of the passengers by the Penguin. He is supposed to have joined the vessel at Nelson without booking a berth. Enquiries was made on Saturday regarding his whereabou's, but no reply was received.