MISSED THE RONA BAY BOAT.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1272, 30 October 1911, Page 4

MISSED THE RONA BAY BOAT.

A COMPETITIONS INCIDENT. Thirty-three residents of Eastbourne found themselves in an awkward predicament on Saturday evening, from which they were rescued only after somo hours of anxiety. As tho members of tho Eastbourne Amateur Dramatic Club were taking part in the competitions at the Town Hail it had been expected that tho departure of the sleamer Cobar would be delayed until' 10.15 p.m., in order that siio might lake flic party homo. The plav in which tho Eas.tbuurno amateurs were taking part concluded at 10.15 p.m., and immediately afterwards they hurried down to the Wellington Perry Wharf. To their dismay they found' that tho boat had gone. They had apparently relied on her captain awaiting their arrival. The )>osilion was awkward. Cnplaiii Schmidt, of the Duchess, was on the spot, but was powerless to assis't, owing to the absence of Iris engineer and crew" Eventually Mr. Samson, of tho Ferry Company, was rung up, and ho immedialely exerted himself to provide means of transport across the harbour. Captain Uatcliiiii, of the Awaroa, was communicated willi, and volunteers to act as iircinen and c.rew were quickly secured. An engineer was found in the' person of Mr. A. Jlall, of tho Union Company's Natone. At O.liO a.m. all difficulties had been surmounted, and tho belated travellers left the wharf in (he Duchess. Tlir.equarlers of an hour later (hey arrived, tired but joyous, at Nona Pay, having partaken of an impromptu supper eii route, llefore the sleainer left on her return trip cheers were given by the passengers for her volunteer captain and crow. The departing mariners responded with tools on the steam whistle of the Duekcsi