A MIRAGE

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 8, 5 October 1926, Page 10

A MIRAGE

CONFUSES SEAMEN

Dominion Special.

Christchurch, Otcobcr 4

A vivid and beautiful mirage was seen bv the officers of the Mamari while on the wav up the coast from Dunedin to Lvttelton. It was so clear that the officers thought the ship was off her course. They altered the course accordingly, but later found that thev had been misled by the mirage When the ship left Dunedin last Wednesday the second officer, who was on watch, found that he was looking over Moeraki Peninsula, which appeared to shoot up from the sea. The Mamari was then 40 to 45 miles off the peninsula, and the trees appeared to be floating over it. The mirage continued all the afternoon. shortly after dusk the chief officer went on dutv and observed the Akaroa light two and a half hours before it was expected. The officer naturally concluded that the ship was out of her course and altered it accordingly. When the Mamari came abeam of the light it was found that she was miles outside her intended course. TONGARIRO PARK * LIMITED TO STOP AT STATION The davlight Limited, when it resumes running in December, will stop at Tongariro National Park railway station, according to a statement made vesterdav bv the chairman of the Park Board (Mr.' J. B. Thompson) Mr. Thompson explained that tne board had been in communication with the Railway Department on the matter, and the decision to meet the wishes of the board in the direction indicated would mean a good deal to tourists from Wellington or Auckland who visited the park. Hitherto visitors arrived in the earlv hours of the morning, but under the new arrangement thev would alight at the park station in the afternoon ami have their camps pitched before nightfall. The stoppage of the davlight Limited at the station, added Mr. Thompson, would also provide increased facilities for tourists making the through trtp from Rotorua.