Return of the Hinemoa.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 7 February 1891, Page 2

Return of the Hinemoa.

TIDINGS OF THE KAKANUI. PROBABLE LOSS OF THE VESSEL. The Hinemoa, arrived at the Bluff February 4th, from Macquarries Island, at Gp. m. She reports that the Kakanui arrived there on 2nd of January, and left again on the 3rd, taking away 8 men from the island, and leaving Mr Mellish the manager and his wife there. Two days after the Kakanui left the Macquarries a fr-arful westerly gale was experienced thera, and it is most probable that the Kakanui foundered in that gale. The people on the Macquarries had plenty of rice, flour and biscuits, and also eat the penguin's eggs and part of the bird itself. Mr Mellish refused to come in the Kakanui, preferring to await the arrival of the Gratitude, ketch, from Invercargill. A thorough search has been made of the Auckland, Snares, Solanders, Traps and all outlying islands but no trace of anyone has been found. The gale experienced at the Macquarries after the Kakanui left was so violent that casks of oil Were blown along the beach, and a hut was blown down. Captain Fairchild tears that it is only too likely that the Kakanui experienced the gale and foundered as when she letfc the Macquarries she was very deep, and had apparently a good stock of coals on board. The Hinemoa news has cast quite a gloom over the place. No one ever dreamt that the Kakanui had made such a smart passage down, as she only had about 65 tons of coal on board, and about 25 tons must have have been consumed on the trip clown. She is a small wooden steamer of 47 tons register, and for many years has traded between Dunedin and Invercargill, carrying timber and general produce. Captain Best has been in charge of her for about twelve years. The Minister of Marine has given instructions for the Hinemoa to proceed to the Campbell Islands to search for the Kakanui. The steamer was expected to leave the Bluff yesterday morning. —Press Association.