The Taiaroa Disaster.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2272, 16 April 1886, Page 2

The Taiaroa Disaster.

Inquest Continued (United Press Association,) KekeKangu, April 16. Wm. Hy. McQuartera deposed he went on deck to have a smoke half an hour before the vessel struck. He could see land but not the lighthouse. He jumped into the first boat launched, and helped to put the women in the boat. A good -deal of confusion existed. After his boat had capsized several times, those remaining on the liqat complained of pains in the log and oramp, and they gradually died. He thought he was eleven hours in the boat before she went ashore. When he came on deck the passengers were running about on the bridge arid on deck. He saw neither captain or officers on deok when she struck. He could not say who gavetheorderstogetonttheboats. He heard the telegraph go once in the engine room. The engine stopped and never moved again. He saw no one the worse for liquor. The inquest was adjourned to four o'clock. No moro bodies have as yet come ashore. A quantity of articles belonging to the passengers and the vessel have been packed up. The Wakatu called this afternoon and took off the chief officers body to be buried at Lytfcelton. Mr Vallance will be buried at Flaxbourne. The wreck is gradually settling down, Kekeranqu, this day. The inqueßt concluded last night. The Coroner summoned up, and said the matter was perfectly clear. There. were no suspicious circumstances attending the death of them, In order that all the facts might be before the Jury, he had thought it right to collect the fullest information obtainable regarding the wreck, The Jury instantly returned a verdict of found drowned, The Coroner issued certificates for the burial of five bodies at Kekerangu, .three at Woodbank, and one at Flaxbourno.