WAITING FOR ORDERS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 87, 14 April 1899, Page 5

WAITING FOR ORDERS.

The Government steamer Tutanekai, Captain Post, returned to this port about 11.30 last night from Awanui, in the North. She commenced coaling shortly after her arrival, and continued all night, taking- in coal from a hulk alongside. She took in 200 tons of coal from the hulk, in addition to about 100' tons already in her bunkers. The coal is stowed in her holds, as well as in the coalbunkers. This large supply of fuel has been put on board her in anticipation of the expected trip to either Rarotonga or Samoa in connection with the Samoa war troubles. Should she not go to Samoa it is expected that she will go to Rarotonga (Cook Group), which is eight or nine da.ys' steam from here, in order to intercept H.M.s. Mildura, should that vessel be required at Samoa, and to bring the Governor back here. An extra quantity of stores will also be taken in for the trip. Captain Post is now waiting for definite orders from the Government. It may be mentioned, ■ apropos of the Anglo-American co-operation in Samoa, that Captain C. P. Post, the master of the Tutanekai, is an American born, his birthplace being Connecticut, U.S.A., although most of his shore .life has been- spent in New Zealand. He was formerly in the Northern Steamship Co.'s and Union Steamship Co.'s services.