WRECK OF THE KIA ORA.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8465, 15 June 1907, Page 5

WRECK OF THE KIA ORA.

By Telegraph—Press Association. NEW PLYMOUTH, June 14. ) The Northern Company,'s steamer Rarawa, after landing her passengers at the Breakwater, this morning, left again at 6 o'clock for the scene of the wreck of the Kia Ora, taking Dr. Wylie, in case medical aid should be required. AUCKLAND, June 14. Captain Blacklock, late master of the Kia Ora, was a married man, 35 years of age. He leaves a wife and three children. v The names of the officers and crew are as follow: —C. B. De Wolfe, first mate; James Robertson, second mate; E. L. Bagstrom, chief engineer; H. Lister, second engineer; W. Hodgson, W. Dunning, W. Symes. firemen; F. Martenson, Thomas Chambers. A. Anderson, J. H. Morris, and D. Forbes, A.B.'s; J. A. Peterson, chief steward; W. J. Haynes, assistant steward ; W. Johnston, cadet steward; A. J. Keller, stewardess; R. Betts, cook; J. Decalmer, cook's boy. The steamer Rarawa, after the rescue of the .survivors, is to return to New Plymouth. SURVIVORS' TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE. AUCKLAND, June 14. News of the Kia Ora wreck was sent by a man who rode a distance of thirty-five miles to the nearest tele l phone station. The, latest news is to the effect that the survivors are having a very bad time in an exposed situation, and without food or clothing. A relief party, incuding Constable McCarthy and Dr. Jenkins, left Kawhia this morning for the scene, taking with them food, clothing and restoratives. " The man Forbes who is reported to have been one of the passengers drowned is believed to be a son of ex-Sergeant Forbes, and well known in Auckland. The Kia Ora was uninsured, except in the company's own fund. The cargo was a valuable one, and included flax valued at £SOO for Kawhia. EIGHT PASSENGERS REPORTED . MISSING. \ ■ By Association^ NEW-PLYMOUTH, June 14. The Rarawa arrived here this morning, and left immediately for the scene of the wreck. She arrived off Turua Point after five hours' sail. Only a small piece of the wreckage was sighted. The Kia Ora ran on a reef about one mile off the shore, and sank in 20 minutes. The second officer was on the watch at the time of tha mishap. The women and children were got off safely in the first lifeboat, but the port boat was smashed to atoms when it fras launched. The crew and male passengers took refuge wherever possible. The steamer commencing to gradually slip back off the reef on to which she had sailed suddenly parted amidships, and nearly everyone was thrown or washed overboard. A raft released itself, and on to this eleven people crowded. Six made their way to the boat. The captain was standing by the funnel with a; fireman and seaman before the final break-up, and he accepted a lifebelt from a firenlan named Symes and said good-bye. He was not seen again. The boat and raft jointly effected a landing five miles south of the wreck, matches and tabloid food being found intact ir sealed packages on the boat and raft. Food from the Marakopo settlers reached the survivors at 3 o'clock this morning, and at daylight all ■made their way along th« coast through heavy scrub to the Maori, settlers, where the majority arrived just as the Rarawa anchored. A boat effected a landing with a doctor through the surf under great difficulty. It was found that one passenger had a leg broken. Several sustained minor injuries. All were attended by Dr. Wylie. Extreme difficulty was experienced in relaunching the lifeboat. . Nine-of the •strongest of the- crew were brought aboard the Rarawa, and brought to New Plymouth, which was reached at 9 o'clock. The survivors on shore are being kindly attended to by the settlers, and they are in no immediate danger. A heavy swell coming up prevented further attempts to land being made. All the crew except the captain are safe, but no authentic news could be got regarding the names of the passengers. The second steward says there were 35 aboard, and only 27 have been accounted for..ln that case eight are missing, bu,t there is a possibility that some of these may made the shore at other pdints.