STEAMSHIP ROTOMAHANA OVERDUE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 148, 25 June 1898, Page 5

STEAMSHIP ROTOMAHANA OVERDUE.

- .. (, STEAMERS SENT IN SEARCH. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. There is still no sign of the s.s. Hotoiualiana, now (10.30 a.m.) thirtysix hours out from Lyttelton. The Union Company's oflicials here incline to the opinion that she has run through the Straits and is sheltering in Oliau Bay. A message received this morning states that she is not in Port Underwood. The H.s. Takapuna left at 9 a.m. to-day to search for the Rotomahana, and a couple of hours later the s.s. Tutnnckai was sent on a similar errand. In shipping circles it is believed the Rotomahana ,toodout to sea in yesterday's gale, and that Captain Manning has been unable to pick up the land again owing to thick and dirty weather, which still prevails. The s.s. Manaroa, which arrived from Ohau Hay this morning, and the Hawea from the South, saw no sign of the missing vessel. At 2.30 p.m. there was still no news of the Rotomahana. The Takapuna is searching in the direction of Cape Palliser, and the Tutanekai to the South. The Kotomahana i.s now 40^hour s out from Lyttelton. [The distance from Lyttelton to Wellington by sea direct is 175 miles, and is usually run by the Rotomaliana in about 14 hours. The Rotomahana is at present engaged in the service between Wellington and Lyttelton, and does not run further northwards, consequently we are not advised if she has any passengers booked through for Auckland by another of the Union Company's steamers.]