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Hokitika Guardian, 5 February 1932, Page 3

little era fit. was launched, and everyone was delighted to find that she was perfectly seaworthy when she rode the. surface of the sea.

The two strongest men in the party pushed off in the boat, and 'the remaining six almost- naked men watched her heading round 'the reef with mingled feelings. Never before,., did a craft put to sea with such hope behind her, for the success of her .mission meant salvation for the casta ways,.,. She gradually passed out of sight, and nothling more wa s seen of her until two days later. A. watch was. kept-.flight and day on the depot at Port Ross, the destination of the tiny craft; On. the., night of the second day smoke was seen to ui.se from a hill near the depot., and it was noticed that smoke signals .were, being sent over. On the third day the pieisseiigers returned, both of them dr«ss,ed in new clothing and with an abundance of tinned food and clothing for (their mates, and what was even better than food—tobacco.

What a. cheer went up as the keel of the crazy craft grated on 'the beach, and there were more tears on the faces, ot the castaways than there were, smiles. In a few days, only two at a time, the men, made a .safe crossing, and a camp was established in the hut at the depot.. It was well .stocked uft.h provisions and clothing, sufficient to last a ship’s crew for many months, and the trials and tribulations of the castaways were at an etui. Rescued. On July 19 the Awarua put into Port Ross in search of a boat which had been left there on a previous voyage. The castaways were dumbfounded to see her ■anchored i» the bay, and great wa s the reception that was given o Captain Drew of the Awarua. The men were taken aboard, their first yeiqiiest being for “ham and eggs,’ and after their wants were attended to departure was made for Melbourne. It Is good 'to know 'that the kindly Australians looked after the castaways in a titling maitiner, Captain Drew being suitably rewarded for the loss PI tini" incurred in rescuing the men. ... '

The scene of the wreck was aiterivardu visited by Captain Fairchild in the New Zealand Oovoriimeirt steamer ■Stella, -who found lho figurehead of the Derry Castle—a life-size 'bust of Queen Victoria —- which Captain Fairchild placed over the grave of the poor fellows buried by the survivors. , h