MYSTERY CRAFT

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 107, 19 April 1933, Page 8

MYSTERY CRAFT

SURPRISE FOR AUCKLANDERS. FLYING GERMAN FLAG. AUCKLAND, April 18. A small craft nosed its way round North Head this morning, and when it was seen that she was Hying the white and black flag of Germany there was much speculation on th© waterfront officialdom, which was stirred into more than ordinary activity. Arrangements were made for an anchorage off Mechanics Bay, and Customs officers stood by ready to board the strange craft after she had been granted pratique by the port health officer. In the meantime the small craft sailed on, and eventually dropped anchor inside the eastern tide-deflector. One of the- harbour board officials hired a special launch and went alongside the yacht to make inquiries. “Where from?” he asked, ami in good English came the reply: “From Takapima.” It was learned that the crew of two were Takapuna youths on a cruise round the harbour. They were made a present of the German flag by members of the crew of the Finnish barque Pasaat which recently visited Auckland. Formerly the Pasaat had flown this flag when under German ownership. The Takapima lads had been flying the foreign flag from the gaff of their boat for about a month, and seemed quite surprised at the stir they caused this morning. Now officialdom is understood to be searching the authorities to see if a technical breach of the marine laws has been committud. It is said to be more than mutter of marine etiquette.