WILTSHIRE WRECK

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 141, 17 June 1922, Page 6

WILTSHIRE WRECK

THE.PRESENT POSITION.

(BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL 10 THE POST.)

AUCKLAND, This Day. A postal official who was stationed at Great Barrier to collect the mails that were washed ashore has returned to Auckland, and brought with him two more bags that were recovered from the wreck. These make a total of 98 that have been collected, but it is not expected that any more will be found. The weather has been very rough for over a week, and vessels have been unable to go alongside the Wiltshire since last Tuesday, when the Te Awahina visited the wreck. The condition of the steamer is unchanged, and heavy seaß have been breaking over the vessel, washing out cargo. This was thrown against the rocks, and- was nearly all smashed before drifting around to the north side of the island. About twenty tons have been recovered, consisting mainly of tobacco', cigarettes, and whisky, but the case whisky has. all been broken, though some barrels containing ■it are still intact. A quantity of steamer's fittings has drifted ashore, including a large number of deck chairs, an accommodation ladder, and portions of the topmasts. Messrs. Wright (salvage expert), Ibbevtsen, and Captain PlunKet, who left for the Barrier 6a Wednesday, were unable to approach the wreck from the seaward, owing to the weather, and went to Tryphena. They, proposed to go' overland to view tho Wiltshire.

Owing to the absence of the necessary details in regard to the damaged and salvaged cargoes ox the s.s. Wiltshire, the underwriters announce that they are unable to go into the question of settlements until the consignees can produce " certificates of loss," or shortlanded certificates, which, they state, will no doubt be supplied by the shipping company at the earliest opportunity.