MAROONED

Hokitika Guardian, 3 July 1929, Page 7

MAROONED

TOURISTS AT NORFOLK ISLAND. *> AUCKLANDERS’ PROLONGED. HOLIDAY. AUCKLAND, July 1. After being marooned for three months at Norfolk Island, 20 New Zealand holiday-makers returned by the Government motor-ship Maui. Pomare to-day, having enjoyed a considerably longer holiday than they bargained for. A number of the passengers suffered personal and pecuniary embarrassment.

None of the passengers had anticipated being away from New Zealand for more than five weeks when they left Auckland in the Maui Pomare on March 19 th. They reached the Island three days later, took up residence at the boarding-houses on the shore, and waited for the vessel to make its next call in a month. A succession of unforeseen misfortunes, however, happened to the vessel. On her return to New Zealand an outbreak of influenza among the crew necessitated her being quarantined for eight days. Her next voyage was to Samoa, and on her return engine trouble developed, which involved a further delay of six weeks to enable extensive repairs to be put in hand. It was not until June 24th that she was able to set oat. again for Norfolk Island.

In the interval a number of the passengers found that the money they had brought with them to last five weeks was quite inadequate for their enforced. absence of 15 weeks. The business men were seriously inconvenienced on account of the prolonged absence from their offices, and several neople employed in Auckland suffered loss of salary through overstopping their leave.

One of the passengers,. Mrs R.. H. Daniels, was taken ill on the Island, and although efficient, attention was forthcoming .from - the ...lpcfljV. l medical •ptactidner; considerable ahxidty was Gauged -arttmg' hep -’ . relatives and friends in Auckland, Air Daniels accompanying, the Maui Porqare to • the Island on its last trip to ' arrange .for her, retui’.n. >'■ ’. , • Y.•; 'i.

: .‘.‘lt was, a most' .unpleasant’ experience - for many *of the people”’ observed Mrs-AY A. Miller, another of the' passengers. “Some of the .girls who went there for a holiday', found 'themselves without any money after the first six weeks, and 'wqre unable even to pay for. their board. r TJiey were obliged to take up light work.to earn money, and some nf them did dressmaking and similar . duties. Others • availed .themselves. ;of the hospitality of the residents, "and lived for Several weeks in different homes.”

} Mrs Miller said it would have been possible for the people to. return, to Auckland via Sydney,. but they were always under the impression that the Maui Pomare would arrive in . .time. “Whenever an announcement ■ was made of further delay in the vessel’s arrival it always came just after the Sydney boat had left,” she said.