THE WRECK.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7743, 14 May 1887, Page 3

THE WRECK.

The bull of the Northumberland has settled lower in the shingle since early yesterday morning, and there does not appear much hope of saving the cargo yet remaining in the hold. The sea was breaking heavily over the wreck all day Jong, but very little floating stuff was washed ashore. No sign of the remaining hody has been discovered. The Customs officials and the police have had a busy time, as a keen search has been made for stolen articles hidden near the scene of' tho disaster by wreckers, and a sharp look-out kept for the thieves in case they attempted to carry off their concealed plunder. Detective Grace and ' Mr J. E. Provis cleverly "nabbed" three men on Thursday night. They had been keeping watch all the afternoon, having a strong suspicion that an attempt would be made to " lift a plant," and about dusk ..a boat manned by six men was observed to put off from the shore of tlie innei harbor riot v.cry far from the wreck. The tmat was pulled to one of the small islands in the lagocm, but what was done there could only be guessed, as it was. toe dark to watch the movements of the men.

The moil stayed on the island for some time, but Detective Grace and Mr Provis did not relax their watch, and at last, through the darkness, the boat was observed to be heading in the direction of Fisherman's Bay, where two of the men landed. The "boat was then pulled towards the beach close by the end of the Petane bridge, the two watchers keeping themselves concealed till her bows touched the shore, when they sprang up and each collared two men. One of thorn struggled very much to free himself from the grip of Detective Grace, and at last managed to; get away, escaping in the darkness. The others were held firmly, and the boat examined, when It was found that it contained two casks of rum, on which the duty alone would amount to over £40. The men were subsequently conveyed to the lock-np, and the rum was taken to the Customs storing shed.