LAUNCH COMES ASHORE.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 April 1921, Page 6

LAUNCH COMES ASHORE.

EIGHT OCCUPANTS LAND SAFELY. ANCHOR BREAKS DURING STORm. RUMOR OF A HONEYMOON. The launch which anchored off the mouth of the Waiwakaiho River on Monday afternoon and signalled the shore for help proved to be the Waitemnta, which belenga to Waitara. The party on board consisted of eight Maoris, including two women. The launch came to New Plymouth at the week-end, and was returning to Waitara when it broke down. The part£ experienced the terrors of cold and wet, having to remain in the launch as it waa tossed by the breakers throughout the bleak storm of the early hours of yesterday morning. As nd help could be sent to ths boat on Monday Hight, owing to the rough sea, the party had an unenviable experience, culminating when the launch drifted on to the beach opposite the Bell Block store at 5.30 yesterday morn- s ing, after breaking away from its anchor. The party were drenched through with the sea which had been breaking over the boat, but help was given by a party who had been on watch, including Constable Hadler, of the Flitzroy station. Valuable assistance was also rendered by Mr. and Mrs. T. Mack and family. The original cause of the trouble wad the stoppage of the launch due to the- ‘ engine running out of petrol. The party i proceeded to replenish the supply, but ; while putting the 'benzine ip, some big seas broke over the boat and got into the benzine, which caused a complete ' hold-up of the engine. An anchorage was made about twenty chains off shore, and the boat remained in this position till early yesterday morning. The ex-, periences of those on board xvere far from z comfortable. The craft provided shelter, but the Maoris became soaked by the sea and rain. The anchor line broke and the boat drifted for two and a half miles till washed up on the beach. The propeller was damaged, and pome dents were made in the sides of the launch. Rather a romantic touch was lent ta the incident, by • a rumor which was current in New Plymouth yesterday ta the effect that two of the party were on their honeymoon. It was also stated that the marriage ceremony had taken place in New Plymouth, and that the couple were on the homeward trip to Waitara, preparatory to starting in wedded life. Expressions of sympathy with the newly-weds op their unenviable experiences were also heard, and, judging by the remarks, the launch’s trip did not coincide with the popular idea of what a honeymoon tour should be. All the mem-\ bens of the party, however, returned home yesterday in good spirits and little the worse for their all-night cruise; but whether there was a marriage ceremony in the adventure could not be confirmed.