HIMITANGI OVERDUE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1012, 27 February 1912, Page 2

HIMITANGI OVERDUE.

TWENTY-SEVEN DAYS FROM CHATHAMS.

It is twenty-seven days to-day since the Chatham Islands Fishing Company’s steamer Himitangi left Lyttelton for the Chatham Islands. In the ordinary course of events she should have taken from twelve to fifteen days on the round trip. Whilst it is considered most probable that the vessel has a considerable quantity of cargo to discharge at various lauding places at the Islands, and was to have loaded wool and sheep for the return trip. On several occasions the Chatham Islands mail steamers have been nineteen days on the round trip, heavy gales aud seas preventing them from working cargo at the Islands, but the present trip of the Himitangi is one of the longest on record for a steamer. There is little fear ot her running short of coal, as she carried a reserve stock in her holds, aud her owners have also a large quantity stored at the Islands. Whilst it is yet too early for any alarm as to her safety, it is considered that the vessel is much overdue, and it is possible that she may have had a breakdown or a mishap at the Islands. The mail steamer from Lyttelton is the only communication between New Zealand and the Chatham Islands. Some lime ago a site was selected for a wireless telegraphy station at the Chathams, aud in view of the fact that the steamer engaged in the uadeisa small single-screw, aud nearly always delayed by bad weather, it is urged that the erection of the station should be pushed on without delay, as it would bung the Islands within easy range of the Wellington wireless station. The Himitangi is a small lowpowered vessel of 323 tons. If sue does not put in an appearance at Lyttelton during the next two or three days, it is thought that a vessel should be sent to the Chatham Islands to ascertain what has become of the steamer. The Gertie left Foxtou yesterday for Wellington, aud will then proceed to Lyttelton, and from there will follow a zigzag course to the Chathams in search of the overdue vessel. The Minister for Marine has given instructions for the Amokura to proceed direct to the Chathams. 'She will leave Wellington on Thursday. The Himitangi can rig up canvas in case of a machinery breakdown, so if the hull is alright she will be able to make port. She is amply provisioned. It is not yet known whether she reached the Chathams on the outward voyage. Amongst the passengers are believed to be a sou of Mr W. G. Foster, managing director of the company, and Mr John McLean, formerly of McLean and Archibald, ironmongers, Wellington, but now the owner ot a fishing station at the Chathams.

The Gertie should reach the Chathams on Thursday. The crew of the Hiuiitangi is as follows: —J. C. Cowan, master ; A. Maclntyre, mate ; S. Sawyers, second mate ; id. Hoblyn, G. Adams, J. Radcliffe, Otto Nielson, R. Watson, A.B.’s ; A. Fry, ordinary seaman ; J. H. Preuderville, chief engineer ; T. P. Scan-

lon, second engineer; M. White, G. Carey and J. Simons, firemen ; J. White, steward ; C. Merritt, cook. The following passengers were on board when the vessel left Tyttelton: Mr and Mrs Blythe, Messrs Hussick, Peed, Parkinson, Hough, J. M’Tean, Foster, A, Grate, Mariss, Whagland and Hettuault.

People who are competent to pass an opinion consider that there is no immediate cause for anxiety, at least not until the steamer is out a full mouth.