A MISSING STEAMER.

Patea Mail, 16 October 1882, Page 3

A MISSING STEAMER.

[per press association.] AUCKLAND, Oct. 16. General alarm is expressed here for the safety of the steamer Lalla Kookh, which left Onehunga for Waitara on Wednesday last, and has not yet reached her destination. There were on board, besides three passengers (names unknown), Captain Robinson, Dempsey (mate), Lamborn (engineer), Angus Beel (fireman), Howard (cook), and J. Neville (apprentice). Dempsey and Howard are married men, and have wives and families, and are resident at Onehunga. At 10 o’clock on Wednesday night, when a few miles south

of Maniil<;ni Head-, the mate of the steamer Macgregor observed a signal from a vessel which is supposed to be the La!la Rookh, about a mile distant on the port quarter. She dipped her mast-head light a.few times, but it ultimately seemed to have gone out, and blue lights were then burned. The mate of the Macgregor deemed the signal one of distress and called Captain Macarthur, who upon coming on deck identified the vessel as being the Lalla Rookh, and said that it was merely a complimentary farewell signal. The sea was perfectly calm at the time, and the wind was blowing freshly from south west.' One of the seaman who belongs to the Macgregor, was dissatisfied with the decision of the captain in not going to see whether assistance was required, and several of the passengers also took notice of the neglect. One of the seamen who was onboard the Macgregor says that there could be no doubt as to the signals made being those of distress, seeing that the first lights having gone out, a blue light had to be adopted. He anid she looked to be under sail and was heeling over on her port side. She was heading down the down the Coast. General opinion is that she was then nearly full of water, though the wind was strong it was not sufficiently so to enable her to put about and return to port. It is uot impossible she has gone into Kawhia harbor for safety. She is insured for £llOO in the South British of which £6OO is re-insured. Later. The Captain of the denies having seen the Lalla Rookh last trip, and threatens to take action for libel against the New Zealand Herald for strictures .on his conduct. NEW PLYMOUTH, Oct. 16th. No tidings have yet been heard of the Lalla Rookh. It is now absolutely certain that some serious mishap has befallen the steamer, as she lias not appeared at either Raglan or Waitara.