Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-08-11

and night by trained crew.
Eahaina Accident.
Having reviewed all the evidence,
we are satisfied In our own minds
that the accident could have been
avoided had the boat been on it's prop
er course, and under control OF deck
officer The evidence bears out the
fact that the weather on this occasion
was not unusual; that no danger sig
nails we're displayed: that no precall-
tionary instructions were given TO the
boats crew; that the boat was steered
to the reef, and on the boatsteerer
becoming aware of the fact. that he
turned the boat to get on the right
course, and in so doing was capsized
at the edge Of the reef, some $50 yards
west of the Lahaina wharf, reason for
the said capsizing given as being the
breaking of a steering car.
''The crew, with the exception of
the boat-steerer. deserted the capsiZed
boat without rendering all possible as
sistance to the passengers; that the
boat-sterer was warned that he was
on the wrong course by passenger
who was thoroughly familiar with the
Lahaina waters. However, the boat
steerer denies having heard this
@In the main, the evidence given by
persons examined by the public utIli-,
ties commission corroborates the cyl
denee given at the coroner's inquest
held at Lahaina. Maui, on May s, 1915.
From the evidence taken at the
coroner's inquest, dated May 6. 1915
and at the hearing held by the public
utilities commission of Hawaii on May
8, and on July Is and ~, 1915, we are
satisfied that the loss of life on the.
occasion of said accident on the first
day Of May, A. d. 1915, thereat inquir-l
ed into, was due TO the negligence OF
some of the employees OF the Inter
Island Steam Navigation Company,
Ltd, to wit: The boat-steerer and the
crew of the boat which was capsized,
and this commission concurs In the
findings of the coroner's jury handed
down on the 9Th day of May, 1915. at
Lahaina, Maui
In regard to the alleged mistreat-
ment Of deck passengers on the Inter-
Island ships, the commission stated
that the complaint of M. Negoro heard
recently was not sustained owing to
the fact that so much indirect and
hearsay evidence was brought in at
the hearing.
Deck Passenger Treatment.
1--WE have reviewed the evidence re
the treatment of deck passengers pre-
vaililg on the steamers Of the Inter
Island Steam Navigation Company,
Ltd.
1T appears that NJ. Negoro was the
principal complaining witness and pre-
sented for examination one SaburD
Omaha to support his complaint.
-Mr. Negoro,s evidence was hear
say and he personally admitted never
having seen any of the so-called abus-
es ana could not testify to or produce
any evidence that would tend to show
that deck passengers had been abused.
"Mr. Negoro stated that Mr.. Omaha
had been subjected to abuse, but Mr..
Onaha's evidence does not bear this
out.
Not Proven.
The chairman of this commission
has made recent trips to the other
islands, at which time he had oppor. |
tunity to observe the treatment OF
deck passengers, and while acommoda- |
lions for deck passengers are made
quate, he did not observe any mis-
treatment of them. 1t is true that no
hunks are provided for these passen- |
gers and that members Of the crew
rent mats for the sum of so cents, |
practise that should be discontinued, |
and we believe these mats should be
by the InterIsland Steam
Company, Ltd. 1t is also
D fact that when necessary to enter |
The hatch or to work at the side ports, |
deck passengers who utilize the hatch |
coverings for sleeping purposes are
obliged to vacate this section while
work is being carried on. H
No Direct Evidence.
No direct evidence has been pre-.
sented that abuses as complained of |
have been committed, and indirect
evidence aid hearsay reports cannot
be entertained: therefore we recon.
mend that the complainant, Mr.. Nego- +
70, be so informed, and that the Inter
Island Steam Navigation Company,
Ltd, be notified that the charges made !
by the compliments are not sustained
I'VE are of the opinion that this |.
should take up the mat
ter of sleeping accommodations for
ieck passengers.
Forbes Discusses Suggestions.
Speaking this morning of yester-
Icy afternoons meeting, Mr.. Forbes
said that he did not believe that Mr.. I
Sheedy had clear understanding of
he purposes and powers Of the Pub
lie Utilities Commission.
The commission is always glad to
nave suggestions from any person and
1t any time" said Mr.. Forbes, mo
matter who or what the person is.
rhe Inter-Island Steam Navigation
Company has always been prompt |
md willing to furnish us with inform
alton which we have asked for, and \
We appreciate all of this.
AT the same time, the Lahaina
browning was a very serious affair.
md il is the wish of the commission