WITHOUT LEAVE

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 7, 9 January 1930, Page 10

WITHOUT LEAVE

AUCKLAND CUTTER TAKEN STEPS FOR RECOVERY (By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post.") , AUCKLAND, This Day. No decision has yet been made by the owners of the auxiliary cutter Maroro, which disappeared from Auckland on ISth November, and reached Pago Pago, American Samoa, last Sunday, as to what steps will bo taken for the recovery of the vessel. The cutter is owned by the Beaver Boat and Engineering Company, of which Mr. Peter Smith is manager. It reached Pago Pago in the hands of Mr. Eugene Fischer, of Auckland, who wa. accompanied by his wife, their four children, and his step-son (Mr. A. B. Walker).

Mr. Smith stated yesterday that the owners might appoint an agent at Pago Pago to dispose of the vessel, as the cost of bringing it back to New Zealand would probably amount to £200. On the other hand, they might bo forced to go there to bring it back themselves. It might prove difficult to sell the Maroro at Pago Pago, which consists of only an American naval station, but there might be a market for the vessel at Suva, where several fleets of small trading vessels have their headquarters. Before they would undertake to bring the Maroro back the police would require a guarantee indemnifying them against any expense.

Mr. Smith considers that there will be no difficulty in establishing the ownership of the cutter, and ho has already been in. touch with the American Consul at Auckland (Mr. 11.I1. Boyle) to ascertain what formalities will be necessary to.prove his company's claim and to appoint an agent to try to sell the vessel if that course- is decided upbn.

It is thought probable that Fischer was making for Apia, British Samoa, and that he got off his course and ended the long voyage in the American group by mistake. While further investigations are being made and a decision is reached it is likely that the party will be allowed to land at Pago Pago on account of the four children on board the cutter.