FROM SHIP TO SHORE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8457, 17 June 1913, Page 9

FROM SHIP TO SHORE

FAILURE TO REPORT MISHAP TO MAORI. Press Association, CHRISTCHURCH, June 16 - When the Maori cast a propeller blade on Saturday morning she communicated by Morse lamp with the Niwaru, asking for a wireless to be sent to Lyttelton. The captain of the Niwaru states that his operator tried to call Wellington at 3.35 a.m., and continued till 4.10 a.m., but failed, though he could hear Wellington talking to the Pyramus and Paparoa. The Niwaru got to Lyttelton at 5.30 a.m., and was then assured that her earlier signals had been answered, but that there was no means of communicating with Lyttelton or Christchurch till 8 o’clock. The captain of the Niwaru declares his intention of having the matter investigated, particularly as regards the alleged failure of Wellington to acknowledge the call at 3.26 a.m. In connection with this the wireless officials state that 3.35 a.m. on Saturday they beard the Niwaru calling and endeavoured to communicate with her, but apparently owing to the unsatisfactory climatic conditions the vessel was unable to get the signals. Several abortive attempts were made to. get into touch, and'finally the message came through from the Niwaru at 6.16 a.m. and was sent to the manager of the Union Steam Ship Company at Wellington at 7 o’clock.' Lyttelton was not advised, as there was no vessel there which could receive a wireless message. In addition there was also the fact that as the Maori expected to connect with the express which would leave at 8 o’clock the advice would have been too late.