Rumours in Rarotonga.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 25 September 1917, Page 1

Rumours in Rarotonga.

Reports have since been current in Rarotonga that a five-masted schooner was seen in the group by some of the natives. She was a substantially-built vessel, with no evidence of either owner or nationality. She did not fly flags nor exchange messages with the land, but dipped into a bay and out again. Natives on a steamer which was in those waters at the time state that they saw her again at night. The possibility of her being a raider is remote, as it is not probable that such a vessel would be detailed for such work, but it is suggested by some of the Islanders that the larger vessel, from which the smail launch may have landed, carried for a raider. This idea is made more possible by the fact that a raider was reported in that vicinity iceently, but she was stated to have been caught. A mariner who was in Aitutaki recent®" ly suggested that the large schooner may have been searching for the raider, and. not finding r. party to make inmriii™, honing that the story of a iv:.in ;i Honolulu hotel would sufficiently explain their' presence.