NO TREASURE FOUND

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 24 November 1938, Page 14

NO TREASURE FOUND

BY AUCKLAND YACHTSMEN VISIT TO SUWARROW ISLAND MJniie'i Preiw Association AUCKLAND, 23rd November No doubloons or pieces of eight have been found by Mr J. W. Wray, owner of the well-known Auckland yacht Ngataki, on the lonely island of Suwarrow in the south-eastern Pacific, whither the vessel went recently to test the story of hidden treasure. Advice received in Auckland states that the only riches carried away from the island by the Ngataki was a huge and odoriferous turtle shell. When the yacht left Auckland in August, Mr Wray said that though he did not place much credence in the tale of a fortune awaiting discovery on Suwarrow, he intended to investigate the reports which had come to him. To this end the Ngataki carried a number of kauri gum spears and several old German bayonets with which to probe the sands where the treasure was said to be buried. However. advice received to-day stated that the Ngataki had arrived at Niue Island on 31st October from Suwarrow. and that ihe crew had said that no treasure had been found. The only memento of the island they had brought away was the turtle shell. With the exception of Mr L. Bake-

J well, all members of the crew were 1 well. Mr Bakewell, however, had reI ceived a severe rope "burn” round hi* I ankle when he became entangled in a J line being used to hold an octopus. He ! was landed at Niue to receive medical i treatment and is to return to New Zoaj land by the Government motor vessel j Maui Pomare. The Ngataki left Niue again on 2nd j November for Vavau, in the Tongan j Group. Mr Wray said, before leaving ■ Niue, that they would spend a few _» weeks at Tonga before returning to New Zealand, which they hoped to . 1 reach about Chiistmas.