AUCKLAND.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2605, 15 May 1877, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

"This day.

. The brigantine Helena has arrived from Tonga and Samoa. About the 20th March the May Queen was at Eva having take> on board a cargo of sheep. A hurricane came on suddenly, and the vessel was lost sight of. Nothing has since been seen or heard of her, although theKingof Tonga and the man-of-war Sappho have used every effort to trace her. The hurricane lasted for 24 hours, and destroyed all the cocoanuts on Tonga, Tabu, and Keppels/ Over a thousand houses aud 16 churches were blown down. It is generally believed at the group that the vessel is lost with all hands. Captain Menzies, late chief officer of the Countess of Kintore was in command, and the following were known to be on board :—George Bullock, salesman to the firm of Owen and Graham; George Owen, junr., son of Mr G. B. Owen, mate ; arid a crew of four Kanakas. Mrs Menzies had landed at Samoa. The ketch Pearl, during the hurricane, was blown high and dry on a reef at Tonga. When tbe Helena left they had .just got her off, slightly injured.

A deputation of Samoan chiefs hav^e gone to Fiji in the barque Menschikoff to claim English protection for Samoa.. All trouble is at an end. . ;