SURVIVORS AT AUCKLAND

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 242, 1 July 1918, Page 8

SURVIVORS AT AUCKLAND

A HEARTY WELCOME Auckland, Juno 2!). A number of AYimmera survivors arrived hero by the Clansman this morning and were accorded a hearty welcome by the authorities and the public. Every assistance possible was rendered to them. All were well except a steward named Corner, who had a broken collarbone, caused by falling timber when the disaster occurred. One lady was limping owing to her feet being cut by broken glass. The survivors wore a great variety of clothing. Captain Fleming distributed orders for clothing on behalf of the Shipwreck Eelief Society, nnd members of the crew were looked after by the Seamen's Union and the Harbour Board. The survivors are enthusiastic in prai6e of their treatment by the Maoris after they landed, and loudly cheered Hiss I Kenman, lady passenger, whom they call i the New Zealand Grace Darling, because she assistod to row the boat from the wreck to Tom Bowline Bay. The survivors state that Captain Kelts displayed tho utmost coolness and courage. One heard him say to passengers in tho boats: "Stand by, we'll have you back to breakfast in the morning." The Mangonui Party. Tho party of thirty which landed at Mangonui in No. 1 lifeboat rowed till daybreak, and sailed most of next day. . Tho party finally landed after a 48-hour trip. They lived on biscuits and water, but did not complain of hunger. They speak in tho highest praise of Able Seaman 'Donaghy, who took complete charge of the boat. Ho is credited with bring- ■ ing them safely ashore, though the sea was rather rough, and the position of the heavily-loaded boat was perilous. On landing the survivors were welcomed by Maoris, who took them to a Native settlement, and housed and cared for them to the utmost. The Lost Thoroughbreds. C. Hodder, who was in charge of a number of valuable racehorses, had a. trying experience. When tlio explosion occurred he thought of his liorses, but the needs of -women and children were foremost. He was unable to get to the horses, which were housed on d.ick. It was impossible to do anything for them. He spoke of the splendid heroism of the women and tho calm manner in which the orders of tho officers were carried out. Mr. C. T. Woodward, whose name appears in the list of those missing, was a steward, and about 50 years of cge. Prior to taking service with the EuddartParkor Co., ho was for li or 15 years in Canadian-Pacific steamers. His homo was in Sydney, where ho leaves a wife and daughter. His only son is a member of the New Zealand Forco, and is in camp. Amongst tho passengers was Mrs. M. Ttirner, wife of Mr'. H. H. Turner, who enlisted in the Australian Army. Mrs. Turner was born in Christcliurch, and before her marriage was Miss Ellis. Her husband went to the war about two years "ngo. Ho is returning, and they had arranged to meet in Sydney, and Mrs. Turner left Christclmreh for that city -a short time ago. It is supposed that she is the Mrs. Turner mentioned in the list of passengers who reached Tom Bowline Bay.