THE MISSING SCOW RONA.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 472, 2 April 1909, Page 6

THE MISSING SCOW RONA.

« ASHORE AT PALLISEB BAY. Yesterday morning the Government steamer Amokura left Wellington to search for tho missing scow Bona, which left tho harbour at 10.30 a.m. on Thursday, March 25, for the scene of the wreck of the Ben Avon near Cape Palliser. About 4 p.m. yesterday, Mr. G. Allport, Secretary of the Marino Department, received telegraphic advico from tho lighthouse-keeper at Capo Palliser, stating that tho Rona had gone ashore, but that the crew had landed before sho became a wreck, taking a quantity of food with them. Once landed, they had mado tents out of canvas sails, and camped about two miles from tho lighthouse, all being well. Our Featherston correspondent telephoned last night saying that Constable Baker had visited the sceno, and gathered some particulars, which aro as follow:—The Bona arrived at Palliser on Thursday, and moored to tho rock near tho scone of tho wreck of the Ben Avon, and not far from tho Capo Palliser lighthouse. Tho crew shortly after arrival at their anchorage proceeded ashore and erected a rough hut, and placed provisions in it. On Monday night a heavy storm from the south compelled them to seek refuge on terra firma. Tho Rona turned turtle at her moorings during tho height of tho gale, and was washed ashore. It is understood that tho Rona sustained considerable damage, but no particulars aro yet to hand. It is stated, however, on very good authority, that certain matters relating to tho cruiso of tho little vessel may bo mado tho subject of inquiry. Late yesterday afternoon, the Amokura, which had been dispatched in search of tho Rona, was reported to be sheltering near Cape Palliser, waiting for tho sea to go down sufficiently to onablo her to take tho crow on board in order to convoy them to Wellington. Tho names of those who were on board the Bona are as follow:—Mr. Charles Weisslor, mate; T. Andrews, a married man, whose residence is in Devon Street, Island Bay; Mr. Barclay, son of Mr. Barclay, Native interpreter, Government Buildings; and Messrs. M'Coy, Perks, and Charles Scholes (tho last-named of whom belongs to Wainui-o-mata). Built about three years ago to tho order of Mr. Bartolo Russo, the scow Rona was recently engaged in harbour work. Sho mado one trip for timber up the East Coast, but had the misfortune to go ashore and sustained considerable damage. The experience of the crow directs attention to tho need for telephono communication with tho Capo Palliser lighthouse. This work was put in hand some timo ago, and fair progress is being mado with the erection of tho wire, which has to traverse thirty miles of rough country. Tho Post and Telegraph Department is bearing tho cost of stretching tho wire between Kalmtara (tho nearest station) to Pirinoa, whenco it will bo carried on to tho lighthouse at the oxponso of tho Marino Department. With such communication to Capo Palliser, Stephen's Island and Poncarrow, Wellington can bo kept in fairly close touch with "tho ships that pass." Ail that is needed now is a through wire to M'Menamon's station, at Terawhiti, to link tho port with all danger points in Cool: Strait.