SEARCH FOR AWARUA

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12559, 23 September 1926, Page 3

SEARCH FOR AWARUA

THE TOIA’S PART HARBOUR BOARD’S PRAISE. References to the rescue of the Awarua were made at last night's meeting of the Wellington Harbour Board. The chairman of tho board (Mr M Cohen> said he considered a word for congratulation to the men on their safe return to port was due. Congratulations were due also to the Dunedin for its fino work. It gave one a thrill of satisfaction to know that the navy was still ready to do all it could for preservation of life. He thought the men of the Harbour Board’s tug, Toia, deserved the highest praise and congratulation. They had done their part cheerfully in the face of great privation. The secretary and the harbouriinfster had gone to the Marine Department at 9.30 a.m. and offered the services of the tug, and at 10.30 the tug had sailed, manned by a crew of 13, six of whom were the usual crew and seven of whom were picked up from those who were handy at the time. As an illustration of tho value of experience, Mr Cohen mentioned that the harbouimaster had been able to. reckon fairly accurately the drift of the Awarua, and at one time the Toia must have been within about 15 miles of the Awarua. These reckonings also had been of great value to the Dunedin. Complimentary letters had been received from the Governor-General and the Minister for Marine. On the motion of Mr C. H. Chapman, the admiration and thanks of the board to all concerned were recorded.