TREASURE ISLANDS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1401, 29 March 1912, Page 4

TREASURE ISLANDS.

THE "GENERAL GRANT" EXPEDITION. Berthed at the Wool Wharf, Wellington, to take in water and coal, is the steamer Wairon, tho little vessel which is goinif to leave Dunedin shortly for'tho Auckland Islands with n party of "treasure seekers," who are alter tho .£50,000 of good Victorian gold which went to th» bottom of tho ocean in tho ship General Grant 10 years ago. The Wairoa is a stable-look-ing craft of 49 .tons register, and to all intents ami purposes slie looks qui to a likely vessel i'.ir tho purpose in view. Up to the time of her purchase by an American syndicate, the Wairoa was engaged twins logs 011 tho Wairoa River. For some time past she has been refitting 1 at Auckland, and commenced her. journey at midnight last Saturday. Xho experienced good weather until Tuesday. Then she ran into a hard north-west gale, and was compelled to run for shelter to White Rock, on the East Coast, above Capo Palliscr. Hero tho first real trouble was. met—her two anchors wero lost. Steam being handy, however, lier master (Captain Cook) put her head to sou and steamed out. When sho leaves tho southern port the Wairoa will have 20 souls 011 board—the total number of the "treasnre : seeking" party. They will !a);o Iwclvo months' provisions with them, and about 70 tons of gear. To eijuip tho expedition tho sum of .£15,000 has, or will be, expended. Tho Auckland Islands are about 200 miles south of the Bluff, and it is probable that tho Wairoa will return to New Zealand from time to time. However, all is conjecture. The whole scheme has been covefully planned and thought out, and tho result of tho "treasure seekers'" experiences will be awaited with interest.