HIMITANGI FROM THE CHATHAMS.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14884, 26 January 1914, Page 8

HIMITANGI FROM THE CHATHAMS.

After a prolonged absence of twenty-eeven days, duo to tho stripping of her propeller, the steamer Himitangi returned to Lyttelton from the Chatham Island* yeeterday morning. Leaving Lyttelton at 4 p.m. on December 29th, the veescl experienced moderate variable winds on the run across to Waitangi, which was reached at 8 a.m. on "cw Year's Dny. After discharging mails and stores, the Himitangi sailed at 3 p.m. th'j same day for Owenga, where arrival was made that night. Unloading was commenced at 4 a.m. the following day, the vessel eub-e-equently taking on board a large quantity of "wool and fish. Manakau wse also, visited, and a shipment of wool lifted, after which Himit3ngi proceeded to Taupeka, experiencing moderate winds and foggy weather en route. On Sunday, the 4th met, while at tho last-mentioned port, the accident referred to occurred ac a result of the veeeel striking a submerged rock. The anchor wae dropped, and the vcs!»el waited the arrival of the Chatham Islands Fishing Company's auxiliary cutter Sea?ull and two oil launches, which towed the disab!<-d eteamer *£ Port Cult, n. distance of about thirty-two mike, to a safe The Himitangi was then "tipped" with the aid of coal, *and. and water, nweitin?? the arrival of the Arapawa from Wellington with a new shaft and propeller. The latter vessel arrived at 9 p.m. on the loth inst., and left on her return to Wellington on the following night. On the 18th the crew of the Himitanai drew tho old shaft and propeller, and substituted tho new one*, and on the following day unloaded the sand. dr.. and pot the vcsfel ready for n«a again. The vefscl left (or Waitangi on the 20th. and. after lifting come wool, went on to Owenga for fish. She leTt for Lvttelton at 7 p.m. on th-o 21st met., experiencing strong northerly and w«storlv winds until her aTrivnl yeeterday morning. An enquiry into the cause of the mi'hap will be held, but whether at thie rwrt or at Wellington is not yet decided. The Himitnngi will unload her carso of wool at LytteltoTi. but before proceedinir to Wellington to discharge the Ssh, will in all probability bo docked.