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

saving was "a thing that required or
ganization, and that a boat TO be eff
lfective would have to be manned day
and night by trained crew.
y lahaIna 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 its 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 were displayed: that no precau-
tionary instructions were given to the
boats crew: that the boat was steerei
TO the reef, and on the boat-steerer
becoming aware of the fact, that he
turned the boat to get on the right
course, and in so doing was capsized
al the edge OF the reef, some $50 yards
west of the Lahaina wharf. reason for
1.-THE said capsizing given as being tne
breaking OF steering car.
The crew, with the exception of
the boat-steerer. deserted the capss2ed
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.
sIn the main, the evidence given by
persons examined by the public utili-
ties commission corroborates the eyi.
dence given at the coroner's inquest
held at Lahaina, Maui, on May 6, 1915.
aFrom 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
/ y, and on July 16 and 10. 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.
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 eoroner's jury handed
down on the 9Th day of May, 1915, at
Lahafna. Maui"
In regard to the alleged mistreat-
ment of deck passengers on the Inter
1 Island ships, the commission stated
/ that the complaint OF NJ. NegOro heard
recently was not sustained owing to
the fact that So much indirect and
| l1earsay evidence was brought in at
the hearing.
Deck Passenger Treatment.
1--WE have reviewed the evidence re
the treatment OF deck passengers pre-
vailing on the steamers of the Inter
Island Steam Navigation Company,
Ltd.
ut appears that M. Negoro was the
principal compiaining witness and pre-
scented FOR examination one Sabnro
Omaha to support his complaint.
'Mr. Negoros evidence was hear
say and he personally admitted never
having seen any of the so-called abus-
es and 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
4 Wt1tTSOItUSUb iNOh TtVNgUs
The chairman of this commission
1 has made recent trips to the other
islands, at which time he had oppor
tunity to observe the treatment OF
deck passengers, and while acomnoda-
lions Tor 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 90 cents, a
practise that should be discontinued,
and we believe these mats should be-
furnished by the Inter-Island Steam
Navigation Company, Ltd It is also
fact that when necessary 20 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.
No Direct Evidence.
mo direct evidence has been pre-
scented 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. compIainants are not sustained.
.we are of the opinion that this
commission should take up the mat
| ter of sleeping accommodations Tor
deck passengers.
Forbes Discusses Suggestions.
Speaking this morning of yester-
day afternoons meeting, Mr. Forbes
said that he did not believe that Mr..
Sheedy had q clear understanding of
the purposes and powers of the Pub
lie Utilities Commission.
The commission is always glad to
have suggestions from any person and
at any time" said Mr.. Forbes, mo
matter who or what the person is.
The 1nter-Island Steam Navigation
Company has always been prompt
and willing to furnish us with Inform
alton which we have asked for, and
we appreciate all of this.
sat the same time. the Lahaina