OIL FLOODS CABINS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20375, 2 October 1929, Page 11

OIL FLOODS CABINS.

INCIDENT ON A STEAMER.: PASSENGERS' HEAVY LOSSES. FAMILY'S EFFECTS RUINED. To have ail their clothes and personal I effects ruined was the experience that befell Captain T. 11. E. Oakos. and Mrs. Oakes and their young daughter at Colombo, on their way from England to New Zealand. Captain Oakes and his family, who arrived at Auckland by the Ulimaroa yesterday, travelled from England by the steamer Baradinc, which wasi extensively flooded with oil while she was refuelling at Colombo., Captain Oakes is> a brother of Lady Orford, who resides, at Manurewa. "We were absent from the ship at tho time, seeing the sights of Colombo," Caplain Oakes said. "For about ten minutes after pumping operations commenced heavy oil was pumped into the ship and not into the bunkers, this being due to a defective valve. When we returned we were not allowed on board, and the result was that we were left with only the clothes we were wearing. "When we were finally allowed into our cabins, it could be seen that they had been flooded by oil to a depth of about 2ft. Most of our trunks were stowed beneath the bunks and their contents were absolutely ruined. On top of this, the native coolies who had been engaged to clean to ship had pilfered to their hearts' content, and several of. my personal belongings which might have escaped the oil were stolen. Altogether, I lost goods valued at over £IOO, but I hope to recover some of it from the insurance companies." Captain Oakes was recently invalided from the Indian Army, and he has como to New Zealand with the intention of settling here. "I have met mtiny Now Zealanders in England, and also a number of people who have here for holidays," ho said. "Not owe of them had a bad word to say against the country, and I decided to see ft for myself.' If the entrance to the Waitemata Harbour and my first glimpse of Auckland is any criterion, I am going to become a bonafide New Zcalander and enjoy it immensely. " There were several other passengers on the Ulimaroa who were also on the Baradine. Among them were Mr. and Mrs. A. Hardy and their daughter, of Auckland, but they were fortunate in having a deck cabin which was not in the track of the stream of oil. "Some of the passengers were very heavy Mrs. Hardy said. "They bad to restock their travelling wardrobes completely wheft- we arrived at Sydney."