THE MAUI POMARE

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 291, 8 September 1928, Page 11

THE MAUI POMARE

LOSS OF CARGO OFFICIAL STATEMENT LATER Reference to the jettisoning of fruit from the Maui Pomare recently was made in the House of Representatives last night, when Sir John Luke (Wellington North) sought some information regarding the new inter-island steamer. “If the hon. member wants to buy a yacht, the Hinemoa. is for sale,” said the Acting-Minister of Marine (Sir Maui lomare). “Regarding the Maui Pomare, it is very unfortunate that a cargo of fruit had to be thrown overboard recently. Some newspapers seemed to crow overit, and regard it a jolly good thing Sir John Luke: They wanted you to make a speech. Sir Maui Pomare: “It was a very unfortunate happening.” Forty tenders had been received for the building of a boat for the Island service, and it was decided that the present vessel would be most satisfactory. When the Maui I’omnre returned from Samoa,.,be would be in a position to make a statement on the matter. Mr. P. Fraser (Wellington Central), said that Professor Macmillan Brown had made an extraordinary statement in connection with the Maui Pomare. He had stated that the refrigerating machinery was very unsatisfactory. **l would like to know,” said Mr. Fraser, "if the Minister is in a position to say whether the Professor is an authority on the question, as he apparently is on many matters pertaining to Polynesia.” Replying, the Minister said the trouble may have been due to the machinery. He could not state.definitely until the whole facts of the case had been gone into. Mr. Fraser: You have to hold an inquiry. yet Professor Macmillan Brown can Yay" offhand where the trouble lies. The Minister: I am not so brilliant a man 'as Professor Macmillan Brown (laughter), hut I have a good deal ofrespect for the same gentleman.