Govt. Action Over Yacht Passengers

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30531, 28 August 1964, Page 3

Govt. Action Over Yacht Passengers

(New Zealand Press Association) RAROTONGA, August 26. The Executive Committee of the Cook Islands Government has taken action over the stranded brigantine Yankee. On August 25, the committee advised each passenger and crew member of the Yankee that, as of August 28, passengers would be held personally liable for their accommodation.

They were told they should arrange to leave the territory by the first available means unless obtaining individual permits, issued under normal immigration requirements, to stay. This ultimatum was handed down in view of the master’s statements that he proposed to salvage the Yankee, which went on the reef last month, and because the. committee had received no satisfaction from the vessel’s master or from Yankee Cruises, Ltd., or Windjammer Cruises, Ltd., regarding costs of accommodation of passengers in the Government hotel. Earlier this month, suits were brought in the Rarotonga Court by American passengers for payment of accommodation bills and return of passage money. The suits

were dismissed for jurisdictional reasons. The Government previously required the captain to obtain from Windjammer Cruises, Ltd., in Miami, Florida, 5000 dollars to cover costs incurred in Rarotonga and for outward passages. To date the money has not been forthcoming. Hotel expenses amount to £6OO. Captain Derek Lumbers has expressed his determination to salvage the Yankee, but there has been no apparent progress in this direction.

Time Extended.—The Royal Commission to inquire into Parliamentary salaries and allowances now has to report by September 30 instead of August 31.—(P.A.)