Police Launch Trip For “Stranded” Boys

Press, Volume C, Issue 29695, 13 December 1961, Page 11

Police Launch Trip For “Stranded” Boys

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, December 11. The police launch. Deodar made an emergency trip to Waiheke Island on Saturday evening to “rescue” an Auckland launch owner, 11 Seddon Memorial Technical College boys, their class teacher .eight women and seven children who were “stranded” at Oneroa Beach. The teacher, Mr H. F. Kiddell, had taken 11 ot his form 4A pupils on a class picnic to Oneroa Beach. The women and children were also there for the day. AU thought the summer timetable of the ferry to Auckland was in force. After missing the bus and walking from Oneroa to Matiatia wharf, the picnickers found the ferry had left at 3.30 p.m., instead of 4.30 p.m. as they expected. Mr Kiddell called on a friend of his, Mr B. Brothers, who owns a bach at Oneroa. He offered to billet the stranded people for the night, and suggested a barbecue to keep them cheerful. Mr Kiddell found a launch owner who intended to return to Auckland that evening but had room on his 22ft craft for the women and children only. “Some of the boj-s wanted to stay the night, but I decided their parents would be relieved of worry if I got

them back, so I telephoned my wife in Nortbcote to try to make arrangements with the police for a rescue trip by the Deodar,” Mr Kiddell said today. Since it was an emergency the police agreed, and while the Deodar was steaming down harbour. Mr Kiddell insisted that each boy telephone his parents. “We were very grateful to the police,” he said. “On the trip back the police told them all about the Deodar and let them watch the radar. “The boys thought it was good fun. For myself, being responsible for the party, I was very relieved when I turned the boys over to their parents at Auckland,” Mr Kiddell said. Seaman Killed (NJZ. Press Assn.—Copyright) COCOS ISLAND, Dec. 12. One seaman has died and (three others suffered first degree bums after an explosion and fire aboard the Swedish oil tanker Markland, off Cocos Island, 1500 miles north-west of Perth. Details have not been officially disclosed but it is understood the explosion and fire were in the engine room and it was under control after several hours.