FEARS FOR LAUNCH

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 684, 8 June 1929, Page 1

FEARS FOR LAUNCH

MISSING FOR MONTH IN THE GULF

REPORTED TO BE SAFE

Grave fears in Auckland that two men who had been missing in a launch in the Hauraki Gulf for over a month were dispelled today. Captain Jackson, of the tug Akaroa, reported that the men were safe at Tutukaka Harbour, on the North Auckland east coast. Up to today there was no information concerning the men. Constantine Mallioros was the captain of the launch. The Whitu, and his assistant was Charles Singer. Both men were single, but little is known of Mr. Singer. It is not even certain that he had a home ashore.

The launch is now reported to have been towed into Tryphena Bay, Great Barrier Island, with engine trouble, a fortnight ago. The men are stated to have remained at Tryphena for two days and then to have put out into the Gulf.

For this, it is strange that the inquiries made at the Barrier brought no announcement of the missing men’s visit to the island. The probability that the men had found their way to the mainland had been realised.

On May 9, the Whitu cleared Auckland for fishing grounds in the Gulf. Since then, there has not been a sign of the launch.

The week before last Mr. John Gabriel, of the fishing firm of Gabriel and Sons, which received supplies from the missing men, made the first inquiries at Great Barrier Island. Last week his anxiety increased, and he notified the police. The past few days have seen inquiries made all round the coast, without result. Mr. Gabriel said that Mr. Mallioros kas 46 or 47 years of age. He had been fishing in Auckland for over 20 years, and, until recently, lived in Grafton Road. Mr. Singer was a middie-aged man and was an excellent seaman.

Just after the Whitu left, Mr. Gabriel said, heavy weather in the Gulf penned up the Auckland fishing fleet for practically a week. The Whitu usually went to fishing grounds near Great Barrier Island, occasionally on the Pacific Ocean side or toward the north-east coast of the mainland. Mr. Mallioros gave no indication of what grounds he would touch, but Mr. Gabriel made the first inquiries at the Barrier. The Whitu was recognised on the waterfront as a splendid craft. It was 37ft long, and had an oil engine of about 25 h.p. The colour of i the boat was green.