MYSTERY OF THE SEA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14304, 25 February 1910, Page 5

MYSTERY OF THE SEA.

LIFEBELTS FOUND.

LETTERS NOT DECIPHERABLE.

[IIT TELEGHArH. —rRESS

Christcmubch, Thursday. Mr. Neil, Johansen, 7 of In woods Road, Burwood, reports having made an unusual find when walking along the North Now Brighton Beach this afternoon; r ' in the shape of a number of ships' lifebelts. Johansen says that he is in the habit of walking <along the ' beach almost daily, and sometimes fishes as far north as at the mouth of the Waimakariri. This afternoon? at about three o'clock, he.saw a lifebelt in.the sea, but did not take much notice of it. A little further on', however, he came upon two more, and by the time he reached Waimakariri he had picked up 14. He collected them- and took them inland,; and stacked them on some barrels out of the reach of the sea. On his way back to New Brighton he picked up several more, and these he placed out of the reach of the sea. .. The lifebelts appeared to have been in the sea for some time, as some of them had mussels attached to them. One of those taken from the sea was unopened, 'but the remainder were opened, as if they had been used. Some were made of cotton canvas, and a few of ordinary hemp canvas. A lot of them were striped blue-and-white. Ono has on it either a number or some initials, but on account of its condition from being in the sea : a long time, Mr. Johansen was unable to determine what the marks are. He thought they appeared to be the >letters "II G". with "P" over them. \ ,

There are two kinds of lifebelts One have arm holes and loops to : fit the shoulders, whilst the other kind have double rows of small corks in front, v.. Tho 'canvas belts aire in good order. It is evident, however, : that all the lifebelts have travelled 6ome distance. Mr. , Johansen saw others in the water, and hopes to get them : to-morrow. ; He 'also hopes that those he got to-day will be dry enough tomorrow to permit of any marks being deciphered.