“MATUA” STRIKES REEF

Grey River Argus, 11 February 1938, Page 7

“MATUA” STRIKES REEF

AT NUKUALOFA . Able to Continue Voyage / [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, February 10. Advice was received this morning by the’Union Company, that the mo-tor-ship, "Matua,” met with a mishap when 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 have been 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 to the propellers. The ship is said to be making some water. The “Matua” left Wellington on January 29th, and Auckland on February Ist, for Rarotonga, where she arrived last Saturday. Thence she proceeded to Nukualofa, where she was due on Wednesday. An inspection of the damage was made, but its full extent could not be ascertained. It was apparently not very serious. , . The “Matua” is to complete her itinerary, calling at Apia (Samoa), and Suva (Fiji) before returning to Auckland, where she is due on February 21st. The ship will then come to Wellington, where she will go into dry dock, about February 24th, for survey and repairs.