THE SONOMA'S MOVEMENTS.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12483, 20 April 1906, Page 7

THE SONOMA'S MOVEMENTS.

THE MAILS FOR NEW ZEALAND. PROSPECTS OF~T TIDAL WAVE. (press association* telegram.) AUCKLAND, < April 19. The mail steamer Sonoma was timed to leave San Francisco for Island ports and Auckland to-day. Messrs Henderson and MacFarlane, the looal agent*, think, however, that tho etearnor will P ' be delayed for some days, in view of the tremendous nature of the casualty, end the fact that the Post Office had been destroyed, r.nd that the cargo for shipment by tho steamer hud also met with & like fate. Afc Jttje aamo time it may bo pointed out that t'lie mails from the Enj&eni States, including the Uritish maik, come to Oakland across the harbour from San Francisco, and are brought over by the forry bUsamew end transferred to the mail steamer. It is not, therefore, likely that any of the British mails would bo in the San Fiiancisco Post Office at tho time of the disaster. As to tho prospects of a tidal wave following the earthquake, local persons who have been interviewed do not coneider such a oontinguency very probable. Ono well-known gentleman, who lias made several visits across the Pacific, eaid:—"There are too many islands Ih'tween Auckland and San Francisco for anything like a tidal wave to reach Auckland. Thceo island* would act as a natural break to the strength of a tidal wave sweeping over the ocean toI wards-New Zealand. Although some risp in tides may occur, 1 do not think that we need havo any fear of any disaster."