WRECKAGE STREWS COAST

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 850, 19 December 1929, Page 1

WRECKAGE STREWS COAST

Manuka Rapidly Breaking Up POLICE WARN AGAINST PILLAGE Press Association DUNEDIN, Today. A HEAVY sea is running along the coast and large quantities of cargo and passengers’ luggage from the wrecked Manuka is coming ashore. The vessel is evidently rapidly breaking up. Had the wreck occurred yesterday instead of in the calm of Monday night a disaster with heavy loss of life would hav' resulted.

Lloyd’s surveyor, Mr. W. J. Crawford, anti Mr. Haddon Smith, representing Lloyd’s, visited the Manuka wreck yesterday. She is now under water save for the top of the after mast and the derricks of the foremast. The beaches are covered like pebbles with lemons and onions, while the passengers’ luggage is reported to be coming ashore as far as seven miles south of the wreck. Mr. Smith states that if the Manuka had struck yesterday the passengers would have had no chance, as heavy seas were pounding against the cliifs. Warnings have been issued to visitors to remove nothing, all being the joint property of the Union Company and

the underwriters. Several loads are reported to have been removed, but prompt action has secured their return. The constable at Owaka reports that he has found two of Mr. Murray Fuller’s valuable English pictures oil the beach, one in good condition. ABANDONED BY OWNERS UNDERWRITERS TO CONSIDER SALVAGE OF CARGO CREW PAID OFF TODAY Press Association DUNEDIN, Today. The Manuka has been abandoned by the Union Company to the underwriters. The cargo underwriters meet here this afternoon to decide whether tho cargo be auctioned or salvage undertaken. It is expected the hull underwriters will work in unison with the local underwriters. The crew was paid off this morning to enable northern residents to catch trains. Their delegate, Mr. A. Blaker, said the men will never forget the hospitality of the people of Owaka and down the line towns to Dunedin. The assistance given by the Shipwreck Relief Society was wholly unexpected, and the men are overwhelmed by its generosity. The Customs Department has sent an officer to the wreck as receiver of wreckage. All cargo will be taken by him, and if auctioned an assessment will be made of dutiable goods. INQUIRY INTO WRECK DATE AND PLACE NOT FIXEI MAGISTERIAL SITTING Press Association WELINGTON, Wednesday. A magisterial inquiry will be held regarding the circumstances connected with the wreck of the Manuka. Some difficulty is being experienced in fixing the date and locale of the inquiry, which will be held at either Dunedin or Wellington. The nautical assessors have yet to be appointed.