A PROLONGED PICNIC.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1427, 30 April 1912, Page 3

A PROLONGED PICNIC.

MAROONED ON WARD ISLAND. A picnic party which went in the yacht Ethel to Ward Island on Sunday had their jaunt prolonged considerably by the bad weather. In the morning the wind was only moderate, and the party of ten, six ladies and four gentlemen, landed on the island from the northern anchorage. Presently, the wind began to blow hard from south-west, and they decided that they had better set out for home. Two of the" men rowed out in the dinghy to the yacht to reef the sails and to make everything snug for the trip home. While they were on board the anchor began to drag, and in'a'very few minutes the yacht was out in' the weather. This left the two men with the alternative of taking theii chances in the dinghy and trying to get ashore, and of doing the best they eouli. with the yacht. They made tho. lattei choice, slipped thei anchor and left thj dinghy on it, whereupon tho dinghy promptly swamped. The under-manned craft then set out for Wellington, and after a very bad passage indeed reached the Boat .Harbour about ', o'clock. Ready assistance was forthcoming, for an expedition back to the island, but the two drenched yachtsmen were sent home. Some suggested waiting till the weather abated, but finally the yaehi Siren, in charge of Mr. Chisholm, with a crew of eight, left the Boat Harbour a( about midnight to rescue tho marooned party on the island, where they arrived about 1.30 a.m. The wind had moderated a good deal in the meantime, and tile trip home, though lively, was made in safe weather. There was (rouble in getting thr ladies aboard in the rough water, but no ono was much the worse on arrival in town. There somo hot tea and supper was waiting for them on the launch Naomi, which is run by the Downes brothers, and the party arrived at their homes about 4.30 a.m.

On the island the marooned eight contrived to make themselves as comfortable •is might be in a small cave. They hail rugs and food in plenty, and they were sheltered from the weather, but they could get no fire or lights. They were glad to see the relief party and glad to got home. Other yachts had various mishaps. The Waitangi lost her bowsprit in Oriental Bay, had somo sails torn, and did not get back to her anchorage in Evans Bay till yesterday morning. Two other lioats, Nancy Stair and Rona, had to shelter in Mahanga Bay all night, and others took shelter where they could find it when tho galo got up. No other picnic parties were stranded so far as can be heard.