THE SUPPOSED FATALITY IN COOK STRAITS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 248, 10 December 1880, Page 2

THE SUPPOSED FATALITY IN COOK STRAITS.

THE MISSING BOAT'S CREW.

(Evening Post.)

Some further particulars have been received as to the circumstances under which the three missing men— Leandro Teodoli, Francesco Mori, and Christi Nicholis— left Cape Campbell on the 29th ult., since which time nothing has been heard of them. It appears that about five weeks ago, a party of Greeks and Italians, among them being the missing men, went to Cape Campbell for the purpose of getting pawa shells. On the 29th November a boat was purchased from the lighthouse-keeper, and the three men named said they would sail her to Wellington. The lighthouse-keeper and several others ■trongly dissuaded them from atteoiptiug the voyage theD, as it was blowing strong from the N.E., and there was a heavy sea on. However, the men insisted upon starting, and accordingly set sail in their frail craft — an open boat from 18 to 20 feet long. The light-house-keeper watched them with his glass till they got out of sight, and observed that the boat was knocked about a good deal Since then nothing has been heard of the ill-fated crew, although a diligent search was made for them. The steamer Napier called at Cape Campbell yesterday morning, and brought away the remainder of the party — seven in number. They had secured about 80 bags of shells, the result of five weeks' work. They state, however, that, after reckoning freight, passage, and other expenses, the work of collecting the shells does not pay, and they have, therefore, determined to abaadon it. The Napier kept a sharp look-out for any signs of the missing boat, but no traces of her were visible. One of the missing men — Leandro Teodoli — was married in Wellington about 15 months ago.