NO TREASURE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23203, 24 November 1938, Page 12

NO TREASURE

LONELY PACIFIC ISLAND SEARCH BY THE NGATAKI MEMBER OF, CREW INJURED No treasure was found by Mr. J. W. Wray, owner of the well-known Auckland yacht Ngataki, on • the lonely island of Suwarrow, in the SouthEastern Pacific, where a call was made recently to test a story of hidden wealth. Advice received in Auckland yesterday states that the only thing carried away from the island by the crew of the Ngataki was a huge turtle shell. When the yacht left Auckland in August Mr. Wray said that, while he did not place much credence on the tale of a fortune awaiting discovery on Suwarrow, he intended to investigate 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 probo the sands where the treasure was said to bo buried. After the vessel's departure, support for the belief that some old-time money or jewels had been hidden in the sands was forthcoming from several Bourees. _ However, the advice received yesterday stated that the Ngataki arrived at Niue Island on October 31 from Suwarrow and that the crew said no treasure had been found. With the exception of Mr. L. Jiakewell, all the members of the crew were well. Mr. Bakewell, however, had suffered a severe rope "burn" around his ankle when he became entangled in a line being used to hold an octopus. He was landed at Niue to retceive medical treatment and is to return to ISew Zealand by the Government motorvessel Maui Pomare. The Ngataki left Niue on November 2 for Vavau, in the Tongan Group. Mr. Wray said before leaviraig Niue that they would spend a few weeks at longa before returning to New Zealand, which they hoped to reach about Christmas.