LAST NIGHT'S REPORT

Evening Post, Volume XCII, Issue 55, 2 September 1916, Page 6

LAST NIGHT'S REPORT

SHIP. SAID, TO BE SINKING.

(BI TBLEORAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

NAPIER, Ist September

The Te Aroha arrived at 11 o'clock tojight from the wreck, bringing officers and some of the crew. The captain, chief officer, and chief engineer remain on the scene.

A member of tho crew states that the vessel was travelling at twelve knots when she struck. She lies between three rocks, and is now sinking slowly) and-as the sea is rising it is expected she wiii break up or. slip off by the end of. the. week. There is a big -split right down from the bow, tho slant in the.deck'has increased, and the water is now over the starboard side.

Lightering operations have ceased. ow ; ing to the "rough sea. The engine-room* and some of tho holds are flooded. No cargo .can .be salvaged, and it would,.be useless in' any* case, as it would bo spoilt. The small steamships Weka, Ahuriri, Fanny, Koutunui, and Tv Atu, all of which have been engaged in lightering operations, aro still standing by. A DIFFICULTY. A .difficulty has arisen with regard to the crew who are now in Wellington. The men are desirous of securing other positions as soon as possible, but they are unable to sign on other ships until they have first signed Off the Tongariro's articles. These documents are still on the steamer, in charge of the captain, and cannot reach Wellington until Tuesday morning. So-far nothing-has been done, and the regulation stands.