Auckland, December 22. Captain Brotherton, in reply to questions by Mr Hesketh, said: —l was suffering from neuralgia before -and after my arrival in Auckland, and consulted 1 the doctor of the ship. The neuralgia affected .the right side of the head and face, and I was affected the night before I went to sea and part of the morning of that day. Xhad little sleepdurfng the time X was in port from Monday till Thursday, and felt the'want of it. P got up at half-past 4 on the morning of the 2Dth to shift the ship round under the crane to get- two large boilers out, and worked at that until 12 o’clock, after which X was engaged running about to the shipping office and other offices till 6 o’clock. I had no drink "when the pilot left. I was asked to take a drink when’the pilot was leaving, but refused. -After the pilot left I went on the bridge and relieved the second mate, and from that time until the ship, struck never left the -bridge, and am able to tell no more than that some time after speaking to the mate and pas senger I fell asleep. There was no jollification with my friends on board,- and, except when ■J .went to look at the chart and write the cer tificate, X never left the bridge. The sole cause of iny going to sleep was exhaustion. It never ‘before happened to me, but I have known it ■ occur to’others. It cannot in any way, directly or "indirectly benefit me to lose this ship, and canhof-in anyway benefit my owners as fat its I am able to,tell. .The ship’was a very ■ strong ship. She was built at a cheap rate, as iron w s cheap when she was contracted for, and rose afterwards. There was a disturbance with He builder's oh this account,

and they wanted more money.-. I,believe she co*t L 40,000, but the owners -had been offered LIO.OOO on their bargain, before Hie was launched. Ido not know what insurances are on the vessel, except LIO.OOO in Lloyds*... Jdo not believe she is insured to her full value. ’

At the inquiry to-day. Captain Brotherton ‘ deposed that the second officer was aot with v him oa the bridge. Three officers and all the men were on the deck clearing up. 