ARTILIERY ZEAL AT PORT LYTTELTON

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2222, 7 August 1914, Page 7

ARTILIERY ZEAL AT PORT LYTTELTON

ANOTHER, STEAMER' FIRED I'l'. (By Telegraph-Press Association.) Christchurch, August'G. . Fort Jervois was called upon to five another shot this morning, oii account of on incoming steamer failing to obssrve tho regulations in connection with tlio examination services at the port of Lyttelton, the offender on this occasion being the. Canterbury Shipping Company's . steamer Breeze, froui ■ Wanganui, Tour vessels, the Wahine, Warriinoo, ATokoia, and Breeze arrived, in the harbour within half an hour of-qacli other, aiid after passing, the examination service, the-first three vessels were allowed .to proceed. It seems that the Breeze attempted to get past without being cleared, but was brought to a standstill by a shot firea , across her bows trom the fort; liie ex--1 amination vessel, the-Cygnet;, then came.' up, and, after examination, the "Breeze was allowed to proceed to Lyttelton. ' ■ Captuin W.Gordau subsequently stated that the incident was not "in any way due to the non-observance of the regulations on his part. Before entering the harbour he steamed up to the examination steamer Cygnet, and was cleared after, a short examination. Ho'was' instructed to ■fly a certain signal "a'f his foremast head, which ho- did before entering the harbour. When abreast of Kipa. Island a' shot was fired from Fort Dorset, and a shell hit the water just astern of the uteameri which was at ouco slowed down. Captain Gordon stilted that ho looked across to Fort Jervois, but as ho could sea no signal flying thero ho continued up the harbour to Lyttelton. Ho wa.s of opinion that tho incident was duo to a raistako. on the part of the Defence au- . thorities. When ' steaming lip the harbour he kept on the north side, away from Fort Jervois, and as it was just niter daybreak the light was bad, making It a matter of considerable difficulty for thoso at the fort to see ,the signal flown by tho Breeze.