THE S.S. LALLA ROOKH.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2660, 16 October 1882, Page 3

THE S.S. LALLA ROOKH.

[PBBSS ASSOCIATION TBLBSBAK.I AUCKLAND, Octobor 16.

General alarm is expressed here for the steamer Lalla Rookh, which left Onehunga for Waitara on Wednesday las'-, and has not yet reached her destination. There were on board, besides three passengers whose names are unknown, Captain Bobinson, Mr Dempiey (mate), Mr Lamborn (engineer), Angus Beole (fireman), Howard (oook).and J. Neville (apprentice.) Dampsoy and Howard are married men, and their wives and families are resident at Onehunga. At 10 o'clook on Wednesday nighc, when a few miles south of the Manukau Heads, the mate of the M'Gregor observed a signal from a v ssel whioh was supposed to be the Lalla Bookh about a mile distant on the port quarter. She dipped her masthead light a few times, but it ultimately seemed to have gone out, and blue lights were then burned. Tbe mate of tbe M'Gregor deemed the signal one of distress, and oalled Captain M'Arthnr, who upon ooming on deok, identified the vessel as being the Lalla Bookh, and said that it was merely a complimentary farewell signal. The sea was perfectly calm at the time, and the wind was blowing freshly from the south-west. The seamen on board the McGregor were dissatisfied with the deoision of tho captain in not going to see whether assistance wes required, and several of the passengers also took notioo of the neglect. One of the seamen, who was on board the McGregor, says that there could have been no doubt as to the signals made being those of distress, seeing that the first lights having gone out blue lights had to be adopted. The steamer, he said, appeared to be under sail, and was heeling over on the port side. She was heading down the coast. The general opinion is that she was at that time nearly fnll of water, and, though the wind was strong, it was not sufficiently so to enable her to put about and return to port. It is not impossible she has gone into Kawhai harbor for safety. The vessel is insured for £IICO in the South British, of which £6OO is reinsured.

The Captain of the Maogregor denies having seen the Lalla Bookh on his last trip, and threatens to take action for libel against the "New Zealand Horald " for strictures on his oonduot.