MATUA’S MISHAP

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 February 1938, Page 12

MATUA’S MISHAP

SUBMERGED REEF STRUCK.

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON. February 10.

Advice was received this morning by the Union Steam Ship Company that the motor-ship Matua. met with a mishap entering Nukualofa harbour, the principal port of Tonga or the Friendly Islands. The exact cause of the mishap is not known, but it is believed to be some change in the buoys marking the difficult eastern entrance to the harbour. Apparently the Matua struck a submerged reef, the impact causing some damage to the after part of the ship and the propellers. The ship is said to be making some water. The Matua. left Wellington on January 29, and Auckland on February !, for Rarotonga, where she arrived last Saturday. Thence she went to Nukualofa. where she was due on Wednesday. An inspection of the damage was made, but the full extent of it could not be ascertained. It was apparently not very serious. The Matua is to complete her itinerary, calling at Apia, Samoa, and Suva/ before returning to Auckland, where she is due on February 21. The ship will then come to Wellington, where, she will go into dry dock about February 24 for survey and repairs.