THE STORY OF A SHIPWRECK.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8385, 20 March 1907, Page 3

THE STORY OF A SHIPWRECK.

With reference to the treasure hunt that has been instituted, at Pouama by the natives, under Wereta's influence, says a Gisborne correspondent, Colonel Porter, C.8., states that a steamer named either the Evening Star or Star of the Evening was wrecked on Pouama Point about 1866 or 1867. The wreck occurred at night during the height of a southerly storm, and j the steamer, which was bound from 'Napier to Auckland, in trying to avoid the Ariel.' reef, kept too close in shore, and ran at full speed on to the rocks. The hull of the vessel sank, and only her masts were above water. Next morning, when Colonel Porter passed some of the shipwrecked people were clinging to the masts, and the natives assembled on the shore were endeavouring to render them assistance, but owing to the turbulent state of the sea the position of the crew was regarded as hopeless. The natives were dragging the bodies. of several who had been drowned out of the water, and the beach was strewn with carcases of stock, of which • the steamer's cargo consisted. The owner of the stock was a passenger by the boat, and the story was afterwards circulated that he had jumped overboard with a large sum of money, and was drowned, his body not being recovered. Possibly, from this statement, arises Wereta's supposition of hidden treasure. The bodies of those who were drowned were buried on the point.