FISHING PARTY SAFE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18530, 15 October 1923, Page 6

FISHING PARTY SAFE.

TAURANGA LAUNCH MISHAP.' ASHORE ON AN ISLAND. HUNGRY MEN'S LONG TRAMP CBX ; TELEGEAPH. —OWN :-, CORB.ESFONDENT.I TAUEANGA. Saturday. Anxiety regarding Messrs. Evans, Morgan and Dickson, who left hero on. a fishing excursion in the launch Edna on Wednesday afternoon/ was allayed this morning when Mr. Evans reached here in a nativeowned launch from Matakana Island and reported that all members of , the party ] were safe. ;•;;':■••'; •:■:•'•*. % •- ; '_.>,:■: ■■ '-.\ ':., Mr. Evans states that after the Ednaj cleared the harbour entrance on Wednesday bad weather was experienced. One | particularly heavy sea came aboard and swept the ropes on deck overboard, one ! rope unfortunately fouling the propeller i and stopping the engine. Strenuous work i resulted in the freeing of the propeller, but ' by the time that was accomplished the i launch was full of water and it was found impossible to get the engine going again. Very soon afterwards the boat went up, on the Matakana. Island beach in about six feet of water. ; The threes men put on lifebelts, dropped over the side and succeeded in getting ashore safely. After landing they rested until daylight. They then baled the boat out and tried to launch her at high tide, but the sea was too strong and the Edna came further inshore. They worked all day .on Thursday in battening , her down and making her generally watertight. The only meal they had that day was some pipis. They rigged up a tent with a blanket and slept on the beach on Thursday night, with the intention of starting for the Maori settlement on Friday morning. The party were feeling the effects of hunger when they set out for the settlement and the journey, which lay across swamps and lagoons, occupied about six hours. On arrival at the settlement at two o'clock on Friday afternoon, Mrs. Murray supplied the hungry men with food and bound, up Mr. Dickson's hand, which had been cut while he was using an axe on Thursday!, As the tide was inconvenient for launching the only vessel at hand, Mr. J Evans secured a horso and rode to > Mr. ; Sinclair's house where he stayed last night, coming to Tauranga by the native launch this morning. - It is stated that Mr. Dickson and Mr. Morgan went back to the Edna last night and were reached this morning at two o'clock by Mr. Earl and party, who left here late yesterday'in a launch and carried provisions.: The Edna now lies high and dry on the beach and is practically undamaged, although leaking slightly. It is hoped to refloat her to-morrow. •