NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Taihape Daily Times, 14 March 1918, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

DERELICT MINE. ON GREAT BARRIER ISLAND. PROBABLY FROM DISTANT FIELD. / WELLINGTON, March 13. The naval authorities are takingsteps to secure detailed descriptions of the mine found at Great Barrier. Meanwhile they are unable 'to make any statement, except that it apparently came from a distant minefield. A LONG DRIFT. . Inquiry amongst shipping men this morning regarding the finding of a derelict mine at Great Barrier elicited the opinion that it was quite possible that it had drifted from a long distance, and cases were/ instanced Ain which lifebuoys had been cast on the New Zealand coast which had come all the way from a vessel wrecked near Africa. At the same time, the fact that mines-Averc discovered and exploded near Cook Strait, on 14th and 17th February la/st, creates an uneasy feeling that perhaps enemy vessels have also laid some around this end of New Zealand.

The first .mine was reported to have ben found and exploded in Cook Strait, near Cape Farewell, on Friday, February 14, and at that time it was stated to have boon in an area which the naval authorities had warned, shipping to avoid. The next mine was found and exploded in the same vicinity on Sunday, 17th February.