THE FLOATING MINE.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1918, Page 7

THE FLOATING MINE.

HOW DID- THE MINE CiliT THERE? WAS THE PORT KEMBLA MINED? (From Our Own Correspondent). Wellington, Feb. 16. tfo additional information from official sources is available regarding the mines discovered by the naval authorities and blown up oft' Cape Farewell and in Cook's Strait. The naval officers who have the matter in hand are content to report that they found a mine and destroyed it. How the mine got there and the probability of it being one of a number -are matters on which they have nothing to say. That they are taking active measures to make the seaways clear for all shipping goes without saying The official announcement regarding the discovery of the mine has created an impression locally that the Port Kerrvbla did not sink in consequence of an internal explosion. The court of inquiry decided that the explosion which sent the steamer to the bottom off Capo Farewell originated in one of the holds, but the evidence does not appear to have been decisive. The proof that mines were laid re-opens the question. If mines were laid off Cape Farewell it is a reasonable assumption that the vessel from which this enemy action was taken paid a visit to one of the New Zealand ports. There was a vessel in Wellington recently manned iby men who were denied the right to land bv the authorities here, owing to the < obvious enemy nationality. It is un-j derstood that t!he authorities are disposed to centre their suspicions upon i a particular ship. More may not be beard of the matter, because the war departments do not court publicity, but one may hazard a statement that the wheels are moving already.