REPORTED ON FIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 139, 14 June 1929, Page 9

REPORTED ON FIRE.

HOME LINER ON COAST. SIGNALLED "ALL WELL." THE CANADIAN TRANSPORTER. I (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) GISBORNE, Thursday. Excitement was caused in Gisbprne this afternoon by a report that a large liner, later identified as the Canadian Transporter, was apparently on fire in the Bay of Plenty, but later advice was to the effect that the report was incorrect. The first news came through at 4.10 p.m., when the chief postmaster at Gisborne received the following message from the postmaster at Lottin Point: "A larger steamer proceeding south, about eight miles out at sea,-appears to be on fire, but I am unable to get any details." At 4.30 the Lottin Point postmaster further reported: "The vessel appears to be an oil-burner, one white funnel; Home liner. The smoke has subsided and everything appears normal again." At 5.30 a third report cam©-from Lottin Point, as follows:—"A vessel, probably the Mako, working Lottin Point to-night, has been sighted and could render any assistance necessary." Between 5.30 and 8 o'clock the liner had turned the corner of the island on her run to Wellington and was well.on her way down the east coast. Apparently the lighthouse-keeper at East Cape signalled the report of a fire to the liner, for at 8.15 p.m. the chief postmaster at Gisborne reported: "The Canadian Transporter has signalled 'No fire; all well.'" Lottin Point is a small village about ten miles from Hicks Bay at the extreme edge of the Bay of Plenty. The Mako is a small steamer running between Gisborne and Auckland.