WRECK OF MAKOA.

CAPTAIN EXONERATED. STRUCK UNCHARTED REEF. (From Our Own Correspondent.) SUVA, July 1. Further particulars of the wreck of the auxiliary schooner Makoa on the reef at Hull Island show that the accident happened as the vessel was coming in to the boat passage from the open sea, where she went each night for Hufety. She arrived at Hull Island after calling at Swains Island, Fakaofa, Nukuona, Atutu and Sydney Island on May 21 at 8.45 p.m. She carried an ager.t for Burns, Philp, who was about to start a trading station on the island, which was uninhabited. She also carried 30 native labourers, seven women, ten children, and three carpenters, and a quantity of trade goods for the island.

On May 22, 23 and 24 she discharged cargo. Each evening the vessel went to sea. On the morning of the 25th she was in the main passage when she struck a coral or "horse's" head, and all efforts to get her off failed. The captain got all the stores and men's belongings ashore before she broke up with the pounding of the heavy seas. The weather was fine at the time.

The Makoa was well found>and had a launch on deck. Later, when the Monowai saw a smoke signal and came close, the captain went out to her and reported the wreck and asked her to wireless explaining the position. As a result the Niagara was diverted and picked up the officers and crew and brought them to Suva.

In its verdict the Court of Investigation held that the British auxiliary motor vessel Makoa, proceeding at a speed of two knots, struck an uncharted coral patch at Hull Island on May 25, 1037. The vessel became a total loss, hut no lives were lost, and no blame was attached to the master, who, in the opinion of the Court, was navigating the vessel with due precaution. The Court observed that both the mate and engineer of the Makoa held Western Samoan coastal certificates only.

Captain Doughty has taken over the duties, for the present, of chief officer of the same company's steamer Makatea, engaged in the Fiji inter-island trade.