A FALSE REPORT

Hokitika Guardian, 14 June 1929, Page 1

A FALSE REPORT

OF STEAMER AFIRE. (By Telegrupil— Press Association). GISBORNE, June 13. Somo excitement was caused m Gisborne tins ..Iternoon on receipt oi news that a la.ge liner, whien latei was kletuihcd as the Canadian Transporter,” was apparently on letin .the Bay of Plenty, but later advice was to the effect that the report was inconeet.

Tho first nens came through at 4.10 p.m., when tho Chief Postmaster ai Gisborne received, the following message from the Postmaster at Lottin Point; “Large steamer, proceeding south, about eight miles out at sea, appears to be on fire, blit I am unable to get any details.” At 4.30 the Lottin Point Postmaster further reported: “The vessel appears to be an oil burner with one white funnel—a Home liner. The smoke has subsided. 3 Everything appears normal again.” At 5.30 a third report came from the Lottin Point Postmaster as follows: “A vessel, probably the Mako, working Lottin Point to-niglit, has been sighted, and she could render anv assistance necessary.’’

Between 5.30 and 8 o’clock the liner had turned the corner of the island on her run to Wellington, ' and was well on her way down tho east coast.

Apparently tho lighthouse-keeper at East Cape signalled the report or the fire to the liner for at 8.15 the Cliiei Postmaster at Gisborne , reported : “Canadian Transporter has signalled, ‘No fire; all well.’ ” Lottin Point is a small village some ten miles from Hicksdav at the extreme ed<ro of the Bay of Plenty. The Mako, mentioned in the message, is a small coaster running between Gisborne and Auckland.