THE KAIPARA MISHAP.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2732, 10 February 1910, Page 5

THE KAIPARA MISHAP.

CONCLUSION OF INQUIRY

TPer Press Association.! AUCKLAND, Feb. 9. The inquiry into the. stranding of the Kaipara in the Rangitoto Channel on January 14th was concluded this after, noon. . The sworn evidence of Captain .I'orsdick, at present master of the Orari, taken at Christchurch, was presented to the Court giving an account of the incident of the Waimate touching the bottom of the channel at what was believed to be th e same spot where the Kaipara struck. Addressing the Court, Mr. Cotter sail! that the evidence showed that Auckland harbor was always considered one of the safest in the world, but had contained a hidden danger in the nature of an uncharted shoal in the fairway. The evidence brought, forward to this effect removed all possible responsibility for what had happened from the shoulders of Captain Cornwall!. There was not ground for believing that the Kaipara had been in any way injured at the wharf. The suggestion that the list had contributed to the accident had, lie said, been practically abandoned, since ther e was not a single witness who had gone into the box and said that the list had anything to do with the casualty. In conclusion, he strongly condemned the official chart which had proved entirely misleading, and was a grave source of danger to navigators. The Court reserved its decision till Saturday.