WBEOK OF THE S.S. KANGAROO. Tha official inquiry into the sinking of the steamer Kangaroo was commenced at the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday after noon, at 2 o’clock, before Mr H. S, Wardell, R.M., and Captains Horne, R.N., and Bark ley, of the barque Cooleen, as nautical as sessors# Mr Izaru, Crown Prosecutor, appeared for the prosecution on behalf of the Collector of Customs, and Hr E. Shaw for Captain Dyball, of the Kangaroo. The counsel for the prosecution, in opening the case, briefly stated the facta of the case, as already published, and then called Joseph Dyball, master of the sunken vessel, as witness, who deposed that he held a Board of Trade certificate as master. The Kangaroo was an iron vessel, built in 1863. She left Westport at 2 am on the Ist of May, and touched twice slightly on the bar, without, however, receiving any damage. They were off Wellington Head at about 6 am on tha 2nd. The vessel was laden with 221 tons of coal. From the heads the course taken was S by E i-E. Up till 8 am the mate was in charge of the vessel, then witness came on deck ana took charge, A seaman named John Swiles was ai the wheel. The vessel struck at 11 o clock, when they were pretty nearly abeam of Cape Campbell lighthouse'. She was going about seven knots. The wind was SE, and the weather clear, and a nasty roll, but no breakers. The nearest breakers were about a mile inside of the vessel. The boatswain and

one A.B, seaman were on the watch at the time. They struck twice. The vessel struct with her bottom in a line with the fore rigging, the second time a little aft. She did not stick or hang at the time. Witness then ordered the helm hard a-starboard, and she an^ e slowly, and in two minutes he brought her hack to her course; but after 20 minutes, hod- Ing her making water, steered her towards the shore. Ho found the vessel making water in the forward ballast tanks. When he first sounded there was 3in in her. He told the engineer to sec the donkey-pump to work. At the second sounding he, found 7in, and after 20 minutes 15in. He then turned her round, in order to run back towards Clifford Bay. 