ADJOURNED ENQUIRY INTO THE LOSS OF THE SCHOONER MARIA.

West Coast Times, Issue 211, 23 May 1866, Page 2

ADJOURNED ENQUIRY INTO THE LOSS OF THE SCHOONER MARIA.

(Before G-. Gh FitzGerald, Esq., R.M., and Edward Patton, Esq., Collector of Customs.)

This enquiry was adjourned from Monday, whon tho ovidenco of Captain Turnbull, the Harbor Master, was taken until yesterday.

James Trice being Bworn, deposed that ho was signalman at the Hokitika flagstaff. Was on duty at the signal station on the 4th May. Remembered tho Lioness towing in tho Maria on that day. It was about half past two when tho two vessels got to tho bar. To the best of the witness' belief tho Maria was as nearly as possiblo in mid-channel at tho timo she took the bar. Saw no heavy sea strike tho Maria and drivo her out of her course. Tho witness did not signal the Lioness or Maria as they came in. The tido was ebbing when the Lioness brought the Maria iv. According to tho witness' calculation it was high water on the 4th May at 2 hours and 8 minutes p.m. Owing to some causo it was high water ou that day soonor than it should havo been by witness' calculation. Tho signal tho witness had up when ttio Maria struck tras tho red flag at the masthead, and tho ball on the cap, " that means take tho bar, tido ebbing." Hoisted tho red flag whon the Lioness camo up to the bar. Had had it down previously because tho witness was not sure as to the draught of water of tho Maria. Hoisted the red flag when ho saw tho Lioness was determined to bring in the Maria in oi'der that there might bo no wavering — one of tho lato harbor masters' orders to him was always to hoist the red flag when a vessel was coming in with tho harbor master on board. It was partly for that reason ho hoisted tho red flag on that day.

George Wilson, being sworn, doposcd that he was master of the Challenge tug. Held a certificate of competency 'from tho Victorian Steam Navigation Board. Was towing vessels out over tho bar on the 4th of May. Bolieved it was high-water on that day about half-past one o'clock in the afternoon. Tho witness was passing out over the bar with a tow when the Maria was coming in. It was nearly half-past two then. The tide had then ebbed from a foot to fifteen inches. Saw that by marks on Bhore. Sounded the bar on tho 4th of May. Had nothing loss than ten feet going out at twelve o'clock, that is with the flagstaft and 'signalman's house open to tho southward. Was asked to assist in getting tho Maria off. At that timo tho Challongo was aground herself. As tho master of a tug-boat I would not have attempted to bring the Maria over tho bar so lato in the day as it was when she camo in. Would havo brought her in at high-water.

William Fisher, sworn, deposed that ho was a merchant, residing in Hokitika. Rememembercd tho 4th May; went over tho bar in the Lioness tug on that day ; went in her afterwards, when Boundings were taken in the channel j there wero from nine foot up to two fathoms. Tho Maria was takon in tow by tho Lioness at about 2.26 p.m. 5 by witncßs's ■watch it was half-past two when they got to the edgo cf tho Weak. It was high water at from twenty minutos past to halfpast one o'clock. The Maria seemed to bo grounding all the way over the bar. Witness worked up the time of high wator after tnoy came on shore j is in the habit of working it up. This concluded tho enquiry. The Court then adjourned till this morning.