THE AWHINA IN SEARCH.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 141, 13 February 1886, Page 5

THE AWHINA IN SEARCH.

[From Our Special Reporters]

On Board Awhina, Sunday evening. Thk Awhina, Capt. Campbell, chartered by the Star, left Auckland on Saturday afternoon to enquire into the mysterious island, or supposed wreck, reported by Capt. Savory. About the same time the Glenelg got up steam and left for the North, and it is believed has on board the representatives of the Customs or some enterprising speculator, tempted by the hopes of salvage. The Awhina proved by far the fleeter vessel, and by daybreak on Sunday morning was fully ten miles ahead of the Glenelg. The Awhina called at Mongonui to ascertain if any tidings had reached there of the supposed wreck. The settlers had heard nothing, but were very anxious to obtain full particulars of the wreck of the Fanny Kelly, the husband of the unfortunate woman drowned having received nothing beyond the fact that hiß wife and three children were drowned. Fortunately, Mr Brett had a copy of the Star containing full particulars, which was eagerly devoured by the settlers. Mr Turnbull and his friends were under the impression that his wife and children had been allowed to drown while the crew had looked safely after themselves only. Since making the

statements of Captain Williams and the crew, this feeling was entirely removed, md the settlers were pleased to learn that every effort had been made to save the lives of those drowned. The Awhina did not remain many minutes, and procecied on her coursn between 10 and 11 am., met the Glenelg again off Douglas Bay. She had fine weather to the North Cape, which was rounded about two o'clock, having kept a sharp look-out for any wreckage, but nothing unusual was seen up to this point. The southerly wind which had prevailed so far now vewred more to the eastward, with a good swell setting in, and hugged the shore as close as prudent, we having learned that the wind has continued in the same direction since Capt. Savory rounded the Cape. Capt. Campbell, who ie well acquainted with this coast, is under the impression that the prevailing wind and the set of tide might keep any wreckage drifting to and fro along the beach, "but it might be drifted into a bay near the lighthouse. Captain Campbell considers if the object seen is a large ship, it is highly improbable that the wreck would get past Pandora Bank or the coast between Motupea and Cape Maria, owing to the shallowness of the water. If it should pass inside Pandora Bank, the set of the tide would carry it around Cape Renga, where the tide runs E. by W., | and any wreckage would naturally drift towards the North Cape. We have landed one of our party on the coast for the pur pose of making inquiries. We passed the ship Vanduara and a large fleet of coaster 3, outward bound, off Little Barrier on Saturday ni^ht. Monday, 10 a.m. We have made a careful search all the way to Cape Maria, and are satisfied that no wreckage has come in that direction^ We reached the lighthouse last evening too late to land. This is owing to our detention at Auckland, for if we got away as arranged at noon, we would have had ample time to have visited the spot indicated by Capt. Savory. Our shore man will, on arrival, have the beach carefully searched for wreckage or survivors. Sunday night was very dark with occasional light rain, and this morning the coast is covered with haze, and very heavy clouds are rising from the north, with every indication of a change in the weather. We shall endeavour to reach the supposed island or wreck this morning, but the weather may thwart our movements. Should the object seen have been a whale, waterspout, fog-bank, or mirage, as some people surmise, we shall set all doubts at rest ; and, if an ieland, we are prepared to hoist the British pennant and annex it in the name of Her Majesty.