SEARCH FOR HIMITANGI.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1376, 29 February 1912, Page 4

SEARCH FOR HIMITANGI.

OPINION'S OF MASTKHS. (Br Teleerttpli-Press Association.! Chi'istchurch, February 28. Kegardiug the overdue simmer Himitangi, shipmasters who have been ju the Chatham Islands trade recall quite a number of long round trips made by various steamers. The 'i'orou was onco away for a whole month, and the Kahii —also owned by Messrs. liichnrd.son nnd Co., of Napier—made a longer slay at the Chathums, bad weather keeping her away from Lyttcllon for over a month. Hoth vessels cnino through severe storms without accident. The Mippli , was once twenty days , away. The ITimiiniigi is regarded as n line sen boat, well equipped, and in cliargo of competent officers. Mr. H. 0. Foster (sou of Mr. W. G. Foster, managing director of the Chatham Islands Fishing Coinpnny), of Wellington, who left LyltclUm in the llimitangi, is an officer in the service of the V. and <). Company. He is on leave of absence, and is making the. round trip in that vessel. Mr. John M'Lcan, of Wellington, who also went away in (lie Himitangi, was born in Wellington, and has made quite a number of trips to the Cliathams, his first one being in the Duco. [It is twenty-nine days to-day since tho missing vessel loft LyUellon for the Chatlmms, and it is probable that it will be at least ten days lrom the time of the Gertie's departure from Wellington until she returns with news. There is still, of course a possibility of the Hiinifaingi showing up within tho next day or two. Tho Ainokurn is now almost ready for sea, and her captain expects to leave Wellington for fhe Chatliams cither to-night or early to-morrow morning.] fUp till an early hour this morning there was no word through from Lyttelton staling that the Gertie had arrived off Godley Head light. The telegraph office at Lyttelton closes at 8 p.m., but Ilie Christelnirch office is open until mid- ' night. It was thought Hint <i message might have been telephoned .through to (,'liristchurcli, giving some word about the Gertie, but evidently this has not been done. Some sort of message should bo received this morning.]