MISSING FISHING PARTY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 10 June 1927, Page 5

MISSING FISHING PARTY

PICKED UP ISLAND

(United Press Association)

AUCKLAND, This Day. News was received in Whakatane that five men (three whites and two Maoris) in the fishing launch Scout, which left Opotiki on Friday last, were picked up on Whale Island by the scow Motu. It is believed the men were compelled to shelter on Whale Island during rough weather.

WHAKATANE, Tin’s Dav

The launch party from kutarere, who have been missing for some days, are reported to be safe. Yesterday afternoon the Alotu signalled the Whakatane harbourmaster that the party was safe on Whale Island. The launch was lost. The Motu is expected here to-day. The party consisted of Alan Abbott, John King and Harold Jones and two natives.

A PREMATURE TANG I AUCKLAND, Tins Day. No details are available, but it is believed that the men sheltered on Whale Island on Monday night, leaving the launch Scout moored. In the morning they found that the launch had broken away. The Motu unable to work the Whakatane bar and the Scout’s crew was transferred to another vessel, which landed the members at their home port —Opotild. A humorous side of the story is that the Maoris at Kutarere, whence the Scout set out on the eventful trip, believing their two compatriots in the crew were lost, held a tangi.

NO FOOD FOR FOUR DAYS

OPOTIKI, This Day. The five missing men returned home at noon to-day per motor shig Otimai, after having been stranded on Whale Island without food for four days, rough seas preventing relief boats going out. The men are physically well, but exhausted. The Otimai, which was bottled in Kutarere Harbour, negotiated the bar this morning and returned with the men.

A report from Whakatane states that the motor ship Motu picked up distress signals from Whale Island and got the men aboard, hut could not negotiate Whakatane or Katarere bar, and so proceeded to Tauranga, eventually turning .back as the weather calmed. She sighted the Otimai and transferred the men. It, is believed the men sheltered on Whale Island on Monday night, leaving the Scout moored. It broke its moorings during a storm, and had not. been seen sinco. It was a valuable boat and was wonjjh £9OO.