STERN SUMMONS TO STOP

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2282, 16 October 1914, Page 6

STERN SUMMONS TO STOP

SHOT ACROSS THE NEREHANA'S BOWS. Rather a misleading report in connection with tho holding up of tho Commonwealth iind Dominion liner Nbrehana. by the guns from Fort Ballance on its arrival at Wellington yesterday morning has appeared in a con-

temporary. The facts of the case are stated.to be that the Nerehana, when near the Heads, failed to pull up when approached by the search boat Janio Seddon. The Janie Seddon made all haste to catch up to the liner while in the tneantime as no signals were hoisted from either vessel one of the guns from the forte fired a blank charge. This was followed up by a "plug" shell (nonexploding), which plunged fifty, yards or so in front of the bow of the Nere'hana. At this the master of the vessol slowed down and complied with the necessary formalities. This procedure was, of course, absolutely necessary, as no matter what nationality a vessel may be the necessary formalities for the 6afety of the port have to be rigidly enforced, and non-compliance is met by the forts as in the case of the Norehana. The Nerehana was loading in London on August 4 last, when war broke out. There were a.bout 1500 tons of cargo for Sydney still .'to be loaded, but as soon as it was known.that war had broken out between Germany and England the stevedores all "downed tools," and the hatches were put on. The Nerehana loaded up sufficient coal to carry her to Australia, and' left London on Au? gust 8. Just out from London warships, torpedo boats, and searchlights were met with at every mile. The voyage out here was practically uneventful—that is, uneventful foT these stirring times.