MAROONED ON MACQUARRIES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 73, 5 July 1910, Page 5

MAROONED ON MACQUARRIES

, GETTING 'THE MEN HOME. By Telegraph—Press Association. ' ' Bunedin, Last Night. Speakihg to a reporter to-day with reference to the men on the Macquarrie Islands, Mr. 1 Hatch stated that repairs to the Jessie .(Niccoll were almost completed,. and he hoped to get her away this week, .but a hitch wnicli threatened to' delay the departure of the vessel .had occurred. The regulations in respect-."to the number and qualifications of the crew stipulate that the Jessie, Niccoll on the forthcoming .trip must carry a master, mate ah'd second mate,- and men with foreigngoing certificates. Great. difficulty is being experienced in- procuring certificated officers. , Mr, Hatch has secured the servies of a' master and only one mate, despite enquiries at variots Dominion ports. In order to get over the difficulty, lie is in communication with the Minister of Marine with a view to arranging that an experienced available man, with Home trade certificate!, may be. allowed,torfiJl the vacancy. Mr. Hatch says lie did not accept the Government's offer; to send a steamer at his expense for the men on the island • because the charge for the steamer was to be £35 per day /from, the time she started to prepare for, the trip until her return from tire island. There no understanding as to how long she would be in getting ready, and the bringing back of the oil was to be left, to the option of the captain. Mr. Hatch,. who had also to insure the Government' steamer while , she was away, says he could not accept the offer, as he was •already responsible for about £SOO in connection with the Jessie Niccoll, and had to pay, the men on the island upwards of '£7otf. ; ' There are eleven iijen on the islands.