MISSING HIMITANGI.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1379, 4 March 1912, Page 4

MISSING HIMITANGI.

THIRD SEARCH VESSEL REQUESTED. Thero is an old saying that "no news is good news," but, this.is not the case concerning the overdue steamer Hiniitan"i. To-day she is 33 days out on the round trip from Lyttelton to the Chathams and back, and there are two steamers out looking for her. Mr. Samson, manager for the owners of the Iliinitangi, is now trying to arrange for a third vessel—H.M.S. Pioneer—to join in the search for the missing steamer. Mr. Samson has already approached Sir Joseph Ward in this direction and in reply Sir Joseph Ward was most sympathetic ,in the matter and assured Mr. Samson that ho would represent his views in the proper quarter in the hope that the warship, which is a last and specially equipped vessel, may be dispatched to assist in the search. 11.M.5. Pioneer, being fitted with wireless telegraphy, could easily maintain communication with Wellington's station nil the timo she was out looking for the Hiniitangi and this would be a great relief to those people who have and friends on board tho missing steamer. Although experienced shipping folk are beginning to feel a little more anxious os tho days pass, they still maintain that in their opinion tho crew are safe and thp vessel is ashore at the islands. Tho Gertie should have arrived at the Chathams at noon on Saturday and tho Ainokura should reach the same placo cither to-night or to-morrow morning. If the crew is safe and tho Himitangi is ashore, the Oertie should orrivo back in Wellington some time to-morrow. But one cannot tell what will happen because of the absence of communication with the Islands. Therefore the argument in favour of sending the Pioneer out is an exceedingly strong one. The anxiety concerning the missing steamer could have been lessened to a great extent if there had been a wireless station on the Islands. When he returned with the first cargo of fish from his station at Kaingaroa on November 25, 1910, Mr. J. M'Lean, who was a passenger by the Himitangi on her present trip, told a Dominion reporter that wireless telegraphy was much needed at the Chatham Islands. At that time Mr. M'Lean stated that ho wotiM give every assistance in his power with his plant, if the Government would contemplate the erection of a station. An official has since visited tho Islands and selected a site for the erection of a station. This was before last Christinas, but nothing has yet been done.