NIGHT AT SEA.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1844, 2 September 1913, Page 7

NIGHT AT SEA.

UNPLEASANT EXPERIENCE. LAUNCH MINA SAFE. A rather alanying story lias been v published to tho effect that a launoh had disappoared olf Lyall Bay, rind- it waß , supposed that its occupants had been drowned. This incident is probably based on tho experience which a yacht and a small open boat had on Sunday 'evening, which was serious enough to those concerned, but which fortunately ended in nothing worse than a cold night at sea, for tho parties concerned landed at the bay yosterday morning, fatigued by an anxious night, and the consequent exposuro, but othenviso unaffected. It appears, from the somewhat meagre information to hand, that Mr. Charles Stevens, an employee at tho Miramar works of tho Wellington Gas Company, and threo others, mado the trip across the, entrance from Lyall Bay to the wreck of tho Dovon on Sunday afternoon. With tho rising wirfd ami sea, those on tho small boat found thomselves in difficulties, and were taken in- tow by a friendly yacht, but finding that it was altogether too risky to attempt to beat into tho harbour against tho nor'-wester, it was decided to anchor off tho rocks to tho south of Seatoun, and ride the gale out. Tiiis' was done, not without a deal of discom-

fort to thoso concerned, and yesterday morning a landing was feafely effected, much to tho relief of those afloat and their friends ashore. -

With respect to the launch that was missiug from t'he Boat Horbour, it turns out that the araft was tike Mina, a stout double-ended, decked launch, fitted with a 9-h.p. engine. She left Wellington for l'alliser Bay on Saturday morning on a fishing cruise, and was expected to return 'on Sunday night •or [yesterday morning, and as she did not turn up during tho day and rumours of an 'accident at tlhe Heads wero thick, some ,anxiety for those on boird was -felt. 'Fortunately tho Mina turned up safely just before midnight last night. Sho had had a pretty rough time since tho gale sprang up on Sunday afternoon. .Whilst off Palliser Bay tho engine broke down, and considerable damage was done to her ono suit of sails, necessitating tho crew making port with only a jib and a jigger set. Tiie orew liad experienced a rough time, and wero very glad to get back to port. Tho crew ,of tho Mina

were Charles Deale, B. Amlreason, and 1 .P. Jolmson. They left t'ho Boat Harbour on Saturday morning, and had been oxpectfed back on Monday morning tX latest.

DUNEDIN COMPETITIONS. <h~. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Dunedin, September 1. The Dunedin competitions were continued to-day, t'ho various events resulting as follows Piano Solo, Amateurs.—Leslie Tyree (Dunedin),' 104 marks, 1: ltuby Nortli (Omimi), 100, 2; Dorothy Filkins (Mornjngton), 83, 3. Nino competed. ' Vocal Duet, Amateurs, Lady and Gentleman.—Miss L. Freed and W. Gemmell (Dunedin), 88 marks, 1; Miss Walton and W. M'Kinlay, 86. 2; Miss Croxton and Gregg Russell (Ohristehurch), 80, 3. Ten competed, ' Song, Ladies, without music and accompanied by self.—Miss S. 0. Wilson (Dunedin), 80 marks, 1; Miss M. Vealie' (Dunedin), 76, 2; Miss Maud Stringer (Ohristehurch), 76, 3. Eleven competed. . Sight Reading. Piano, under 13.— Nina Graham (Dunedira), 75 marks, 1; ■Winifred M'Carthy (Dunedin), 73, 2; Georgo Williamson, (Dunedin),' 70, 3. Eleven competed. . Champion Recitation.—lsabel' Forrester (Dunedin), 91 marks, 1; Miss Ivali Cran (Dunedin), 86 marks, 2; Miss Ethel Churchill (Dunedin), 83 marks, 3. lleeitation (New Zealand author). — Rita Gillies, 86 marks, 1; Miss J. Stewart; 83 marks, 2; Miss Molly Brennan, 79 Diaries; 3.

Oration, Amateurs.—Miss Ivah Cran, 90 marks. 1; Mr. L. H. Hunt. 85 marks, ■2j Mr. J. A. Cuttlo, 79 marks, 3.