DISTRESS SIGNALS.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 394, 30 March 1937, Page 6

DISTRESS SIGNALS.

TIME OF ANXIETY. Boy’s Prank Discovered Press Association —Copyright. Auckland, March 29. Distress signals flashed by a torch from the end of the long wharf at Waiwera by a 16-year-old boy during a north-easterly gale last night were responsible for much anxiety among officials of the Auckland Harbour Board and among about 80 guests of the hotel Waiwera.. With heavy seas breaking over the end of the wharf land thick, misty rain driven in front the open sea by a strong Wind, the light appeared to be showing from a position on the seaward side of Tiri Tiri Island. The alarm was first given by one of the guests who saw the light give several intermittent flashes and then slowly spell out the well-known “SOS” cull. After a hurried consultation it was decided to communicate immediately with the Queen’s wharf office of the Harbour Board. An urgent long-dis lance telephone call was put through and preparations were made at Auckland for the immediate dispatch of one of the Harbour Board’s powerful tugs.

In the meantime many hotel guests and resident® of Waiwera gathered near the foreshore. The light was teen, op .several occasions, but with the heavy.rain, spray and mist, it w;as impossible to accurately jlids’position. By walking up and down the wharf and carefully shading the light the boy carried out hit ruse with greut success. It was not. until the proprietor of the hotel saw the light from a window in the top storey that any suspicions were aroused. Viewing from higii above the ground it. could 1 be seen that, the light was only a short distance out to sea. A party then went to the end of 'he wharf and the lad was found. He was taken back to the hotel and it was only when he saw the piles of warm blankets and other emergency measures which had been taken when It was thought that a party might land on the coast near by t’Jilait he realised the seriousness of his prank. The Harbour Board was notified, but already a number of men had been railed from their homes.