IS IT A WRECK?

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 41, 10 August 1911, Page 5

IS IT A WRECK?

BAFT DRIFTS ASHORE. GRAVE FEARS ENTERTAINED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. Indications of what may prove to be a marine disaster were contained in a telegram received by the Collector of Customs (Mr. J. P. Ridings) to-day from Parenga. The communication in question was to the effect that a raft made of three casks hoarded together with masts rigged at each end went ashore at a promontory known as Scott's Point last Sunday. The remains of two large flags were attached to the masts. The message stated that the raft was in good order, and looked as though it had not been in the water long. It added that a quantity of apples and turnips had been found washed up on the same beach.

The Collector of Customs, on receipt of the telegram, wired for further particulars and for a description of the flags referred to. He also forwarded a copy of the original message from Parenga to the Secretary for Marine in Wellington, suggesting that word might be sent to the Government steamer Hinemoa, now in northern waters, to ke«p a look-out for further wreckage. The discovery of the flags on the raft is looked upon in shipping circles as.being significant, and but for that and for the fact that fruit and vegetaMes have also come ashore, it might have been assumed that a lubajc had been perpetrated. As it is, grave fears are entertained that- a vessel may have conic to grief,

Auckland, Last Night. It is though possible that the disaster may have befallen the barque Rona, which left Auckland oil July 29 for Ilokianga to load timber for Melbourne, and has not been since heard of. Ordinarily the trip occupies only three or four days.