PERSIAN GUN-RUNNING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 115, 12 June 1909, Page 4

PERSIAN GUN-RUNNING.

EXCITIXG ENCOUNTERS AT SEA. BRITISH WARSHIP SECURES PRIZES. In naval circles in Sydney last week a good deal of interest was manifested in a thrilling account from India of the seizure of two vessels laden with contraband of war by 11..U.5. Fox. many of the oiiicers and men of which have personal friends on the warships on the Australian station. Captain Allan T. Hunt, while cniismg on llie morning of 7th April, overhauled an arms budan oil' ■Task, ami towed the prize into port.

She carried no colors, but her consignment consisted of nearly .'lliO filearms of sorts and over 40,00011) of ammunition. The craft, one of many engaged in the illicit traffic of conveying arms and ammunition from the Oman to the Perso-llalueli littoral, whilse es- , saying the trip across the seas from Birka to Toojak with a companion, encountered a strong south-easter, which caused the boats to lose their tarings. | and they parted company overnight! The cruder liove in sight at this junckture, and promptly headed for' the nearer dhow. The latter, to avoid capture, made all sail in an attempt to gain (lie.shore, but tile warship rapidly bore down on her."aTrrt; "ripening lire, the im.lan struck sail. A more iinpoi'tail.' capture was effected bv the Fox early on 1:1 th April. The sainbok. on this occasion containing about 12111) rifles and 120,001) rounds of ball ammunition, is sunposod to have left: Kur Fakan. on the' Arab „coa»t, for ■lluiiji, westward of ,lask. a familiar landing-stage, and the.- spot where a boat's crew from 11.M.5. Proserpine had a slight brush hist year with u party of Afghans in ainbush'nshorc. Before deserting her. the dhow's crewopened lire, and also indulged in a fusillade from the shore, but the crack of the steam cutter's rille s and the preliminary bark of her Maxim soon silenced furl her opposition. The craft, being taken possession of. was similarly brought into .fask. The seasoned timbers of the budan made a capital bonfire, and the sainbok will probably help to improve the marksmaiiship of (| H . cruiser's gunners.