OVERDUE VESSELS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 120, 22 May 1890, Page 8

OVERDUE VESSELS.

THE STEAMER RICHMOND.

Messrs Donald and Edenborough's steamer Richmond is now nearly a fortnight overdue here from the Islands, and some uneasiness is being manifested on her account. The la3t news of her wa3 received by the s.s. Little Agnes from Harotonga a month ago. The Richmond had then arrived ab Rarotonga en route to Tahiti from Samoa, and, was to call again at Rarotonga before returning to Auckland via Tonga. It is feared that some mishap has occurred to her machinery, not improbably her shaft injured or broken, or her propeller stripped. Either of these contingencies would indefinitely prolong her return trip to Auckland. If quarantined atTahiti, which It is just possible may have been _ the case, on account of the French authorities' dread of la grippe being introduced amongst the native population, to whom it would prove very much more serious than to Europeans, the steamer would nob be likely to be detained long. The s.S. Wainui is due here from Samoa and Tonga next Tuesday, and may bring some news, while it is quite likely that, in the case of any accident, to the steamer at Tahiti or Rarotonga, the s.s. Little Agnes will bo up here as;ain next week. Ifc is expected that the Richmond will turn up all right. The schooner Maud Graham, from Lyttelton, with a cargo of grain for Auckland, is overdue ab this port, and ib is feared that something has gone wrong with her. Ib will be remembered that she was spoken by the s.s. Arawata off Cape Runaway last week, and reported the loss of the master and mate, washed overboard, leaving the crew short-handed.