THE TAVIUNI.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 515, 30 August 1902, Page 2

THE TAVIUNI.

IN TOW OF THE MIMIRO,

DUE THIS MORNING

The prompt despatch of tho steamer Mimiro in search of the Taviuni relieved the anxiety that was felt when it was known that- the wind along the coast had changed so that the drifting steamer would be blown towards tho rock-bound coast. All the morning there were enquiries at tho Timks and Union offices, while Mr W. Cooper's family, and Mr Shaw, of the Pakarae, must have been driven nearly frantic by tho constant ringing of the telephone bell by enquirers as to whether the vessels could bo seen from the shore.

Shortly after noon a message was received from our Hauiti correspondent stating thnt the Mimiro with the Taviuni in tow had been sighted slowly making for Gisborne. It was reckoned that Gisborne would bo reached shortly before midnight. Later on tho vessels wore reported lowor down the coast, and before dark they could be descried from Mr W. Cooper’s residence on the Wainui, with tho aid of a powerful glass. Early in tho evening fiereo squalls sot in, and it eould be seen that the steamers were getting tho full force of what one of our correspondents not inaptly termed tho blizzards. The progress against tho storm was so slow that at one timo it was feared a serious mishap had occurred. As dark set in the steamers wero obscured by tho thick weather. Later on a light was descried from MrCoopor’s placo. Only tho one light could bo seen, and many wero tho conjectures as to what it could be, as thoro should be moro than one light visible if the steamers were in the vicinity.

The mystery was increased by a second light being reported visible from Pakarae —the lights would be a distance of about fourteen miles apart, so that there could be no connecting line between the vessels. It was conjectured that possibly the troopship Montrose or some other vessel was making a search, and that the vessel seen at Pakarae was a craft taking shelter. At io o’clock Mr Cooper reported that the light visible from his place had apparently been stationary for three hours, and there was still no sign ol a second light. Mr Wheeler, who is in chargo of the Union Comauy’s office whilo tho manager (Mr Cramond) is away on tho Mimiro, aecopted the offer of one of the men who had landed in the ship’s boat, to go out to the Wainui aud keep watch. On arrival at Mr Coopor’s plaeo tho A. 8., from high ground, firod off some of tho Union Company’s signals, but thoro was no response. Later on as the weather cleared for a time the A.B. was able to see tho two lights, and to give tho satisfactory intelligence that the Mimiro was apparently heading to tho wind steadily until daylight, with the Taviuni still in tow. Tho steamer should thoreforo arrivo in port early this morning. THE OTHER STEAMERS.

Tho steamer Taluno was intercepted at To Araroa by the Omapero at 5.30 last night, and was given tho order to roturn to Auckland. The Omapere was then to have come straight on to take tho Taviuni in tow from Gisborne to Wellington. But tho weather became so rough that instead of being able to do any towing, tho Omapero had to take shelter on tho northern silo of the East Capo. Tho weather is moderating this morning.