LOST BARQUE LAURA.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 212, 6 September 1911, Page 5

LOST BARQUE LAURA.

ANOTHER VESSEL MISSING. (Received 10.35 a.m.) SYDNEY, this day. There is no doubt that the lifeboat found on the beach at Cronulla came from the barque Laura, as the previous name, the Clindova, has been discovered on the reverse side of the name-board. The Laura left Callao 140 days ago for Newcastle. The voyage usually occupies 70 days. The barque Inea, Callao to Sydney, is 163 days out. AnotbeT vessel which left a month later has arrived. The Laura, a vessel of 998 tons, was one of a very few Peruvian-owned sailing vessels, and -would carry a crew of from 15 to 20. The 'boat washed ashore would carry all these, but with such a load, and perhaps a quantity of provisions, she would have very little freeboard —not enou<rh in any case to ride out the big seas lashed up by the many gales, which have l>een reported in the Pacific during the winter months. With the men cramped, and the boat half full of water, the cold and exposure would soon do their work, even if the boat did not capsize and leave the crew struggling in the sea. The painter was attached to the .bow of the boat, indicating that she had probably been tied up to the barque for some time, but it was very much worn and frayed, owing to being dragged through the sea so long. TRADE COMMISSION. OVERSEAS ARRANGEMENTS. (Received 10.50 a.m.) LONDON, September 5. Mr. Joseph Chamberlain is vice-presi- • dent of the Imperial Trade Commission. Sir John Quick forms the Victorian branch, and Sir John Forrest is president of the Westralian branch. Mr. Mauger confers with Mr. Deakin with a view to interesting him in the movement.. Branches are being formed in Sydney and Adelaide. * DISTURBED TONGA. SUVA, September 5. Owin" to the unsettled state of things in Tonga, the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific (Sir F. H. May) has departed from the group in the Government steamer Ranadi,