The Mine Menace

Levin Daily Chronicle, 15 October 1918, Page 2

The Mine Menace

O'NiE FOUND ON HOKIO BEAOH. Something of a sensation, was experienced in Levin on Sunday afteriuxm when a report was circulated "that mine hatV ben discovered on the Hodrio Beach. The discovery was made 'by Mr J. Mudgway, who ovas motor cycling about six miles above the 'Hokio stream and the local police once communicated with. A visit' to' the spot confirmed the assumption that the obr iect was a mine.. It was located at liigli- water mark,and was partly buried in the sand, but from appearances dts dimensions would be about .four feeiti high and three feet.in diameter. Three horns were visible — vicious-loo&ing agents of .the terribly destructive power within. The police reported the matter to tiie authorities in "Wellington, who so far have taken no steps to des-troy-or remove the. mine. The object naturally quickly; became a source of curiosity and numbers of" people have - visited it, but as there was an element, of danger the , police have taken, eteps to prevent harm (befalling anyone by placing a guardl over tlie mine, a man being placed in charge itjhie morning. He .will remain until definite action is taken by the authorities in "Wellington. It will .be remembered that only a short time ago tho Naval to the New Zealand Government proclaim--, ed the, waters off tlie West coast of "the North Mand a danger zone for shipping owing to the suspected presence of mines. This - naturally interfered with the sliipipng of some of the ports, and in one instance—that of "Wanganui —a vigorous protest was made , .with a threat'of an appeal by cable to ■hh'o Prim© Minister who was in the Old Co- ; uutry. Subsequent events,/ however, with tlie dtisoovery of tHe' mine on ithe Soldo beach, not (so many miles along the coast from Wanganui, show the soundness of the Naval AdviserV judgment and - fully justify [his action in putting an embargo on Wanganuj.