A MISSING LAUNCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20257, 17 May 1929, Page 10

A MISSING LAUNCH.

WHAKATANE FISHING PARTY.

SIX PEOPLE ON BOAfcD.

ANXIETY AS TO SAFETY.

SEARCH TO BE MADE TO-DAY.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WHAKATANE. Thursday.

A party of six left Matata on Sunday morning in a launch to fish in the vicinity of Rurima Island and as they had not returned up to to-day some anxiety has been felt regarding their safety. The party consisted of Messrs. J. Herd and son, J. Smith and Seymour and two Maori boys, C. Savage and D. Savage. They took very little in the way of provisions with them, as they expected to be back at Matata on Sunday evening. Lights have been seen on the island and it is considered the party has landed there. During the past few days the sea has been very rough in the Bay of Plenty. It is now moderating and if they are now on the islands the party may be able to get away soon. In the meantime it is understood passing vessels have been instructed to look out for the missing party. Captain Rydor, of the scow Parato, which left Tauranga for Whakatane yesterday afternoon, was instructed to keep a lookout. The vessel passed the island at seven o'clock this morning and saw no signs of the men or the launch. A launch is to be despatched from Whakatane to-morrow morning to search the island. LIGHTS SEEK ON ISLAND. POSSIBLE SIGNAL FIRES. [by telegraph.—own correspondent.] MATATA, Thursday. As far as is known the only food the members of the missing launch party had with them was two loaves. There are no water supplies on Rurima Island beyond rain water which may have collected. Shelter also will be scarce as the island is largely rock. A light as from a signal fire was first seen on the island from Matata last evening, and it was noticed again to-day. The island is about seven miles from the mainland at Matata and local boats have not so far had a chance of reaching it. The Auckland scow Puhoi was to have called there to-day tp investigate, but was not able to approach within a mile and a-half •owing to the state of the sea.

A resident of Matala studied the island with a telescope to-day and saw what he .took to be two men. Whether these two are the only ones there is unknown. No sign was seen of the launch, which is an ordinary fishing boat.