NEW ZEALAND STEAMER CHASED.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 102, 2 January 1915, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND STEAMER CHASED.

REMUERA SAVED BY NIGHTFALL. LONDON, Nov. 11. Considerable excitement was caused in New Zealand circles in London by the reports of the passengers landed at Plymouth off the Remuera that she had been chased by German cruisers during the voyage Home. One London paper became rather mixed in ita geography, and described s ow on the way to Capetown two German cruisers threatened the liner, and later another sent out S.O.S. signals as a bait to trap the steamer. Then the passenger is reported to have .said: "After leaving Montevideo the Remuera sighted the smoke of a warhiv, while a fancy dress ball was proceeding. The steamer extinguished all lights, steamed at full speed and. changed her course. The next day the warship was cut of r-ight." 1 am told authoritatively that no fancy chess ball took place during the oyage. On two occasions the passengers asked permission of the captain to hold a fancy dress ball but each Mme the request- wt* refused. On the - ay to fare Horn two German ships wrpro h*<-.,.,? r>nrr>*r>urtir'<t?n!? with one "o!' 1 "" bv vi'-fdess, but there were u- SO.S. signals. The rea] piece cf excitement came -fter the Remuera le"t Montevideo. Late one afternoon when the New land steamer was peacefully ■ •leuthing her way across the South ■*"l?niii\. there appeared far in 'he ra- the smoke of a steamer. Whether fi i°nd or foe it was impossible to say, P - '■ certa'n it is th-.t a rs"-e endued. The oncer."tug vessel exerted herself to the utmost to catch up with the Remuera, and there was much speculation on board as to the identity of the stranger. The Remnera's skipper had no desire to learn anything about the pursuing; vessel, so directly night fe 1 ! and neither ship could see the other, the Remnera's course was radically altered. When the succeeding dawn arrb'fd, 'he Remuera was alon?. Sho had effectively flung off her pursuer,