ISLANDS STORM

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 44, 21 January 1936, Page 2

ISLANDS STORM

LAUNCH PASSENGERS RESCUED. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received January 20, 11.20 a.m. APIA, Jan. 19. The Hauraki brought the passengers of the launch Tiafau to port this morning. \Vheii tlie ship sailed on Saturday evening for Vancouver, Captain Reid was instructed to search the straits between Upolu and Tutuila tor the missing launch. Later four of the crew and the passengers off the Tiafau arrived from Aleipata by the launch Magia, having left the sinking Tiafau and made for Aleipata alter rowing all night. Unfortunately the wireless plant at Aleipata was out of commission, the mast and the building having been destroyed in Lie gale. ■ From information received from the survivors of the launch there appeared to be little hope of saving the remainder ol tlie passengers, and Captain Reid was thus informed by radio and asked to proceed on the voyage. Captain McUlymont, the harbourmaster, however, fitted out two launches and was about to go out when a message was received from Captain Reid that he had picked up the survivors. it appears that after changing her course and proceeding northward to Vancouver, the Hauraki sighted the submerged Tiafau close by and Captain Reid manoeuvred the vessel to a position where the passengers could be picked up. ft is reported ttiat the third officer and the other members of the crew, jumped into the water to assist. All the remaining passengers and crew were saiely picked up, but nothing could us clone for the launch and she was abandoned, ft is expected that she will be a total loss with the mails.

LOSS OF LAUNCH. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Jan. 20. The Director-ueiieral of the Post and I Ciograpli Department advises that the tullowing message was received from the Apia radio station at 11. b p.in. on Dll. .uay : “The motor boat liaiau, with the Australian and New Zealand mails to connect with the Monterey at Pago Pago, and sixteen passengers and lour of a crew,' sank litteen miles off Aleipata. The captain and three passengers reached Aleipata in a dinghy, out the sixteen Samoans were drowned and all the mails lost.” A message received at 1.36 a.m. u.-uuy, ij urn Apia Radio, however, states: “With reierence to the Tiaiau disaster, winch occurred on Friday, we are now very pleased to report that the steamer Hauraki picked up all the passengers and crew at 3 ann. this morning. They were still clinging, tied with ropes, to the wreck. All tho lives are now saved. The master of the Hauraki states that the L miuii uas o.i the verge ot breaking up and it was impossible to salvage the mails. We will report the details of the mails lost later.” RADIO WRECKED. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Jan. 20. The Postmaster-General advises that lie has received the following message from Apia Radio:—“Word has just been received by hand that the wooden building housing Radio Aleipata was demolished in the hurricane on . Thursday, the 16th inst., and the apparatus was wrecked beyond repair.” Suva Radio advises: “The storm is now centred near Southern Dau and is moving faster south-west, apparently decreasing in intensity.