OVERDUE LAUNCHES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15859, 3 September 1913, Page 6

OVERDUE LAUNCHES.

BOTH PABTIKS SAFE. (Per United Press association.) ' WELLINGTON, September 2. In connection with the supposed boatmg fatality at I,ya.U Bay, the launch whieli was reported to bo missing returned safely late last night. The men had been to Palliser Bay fishing. They started to return on Sunday, but tho engine broke down. While they were off tho Heads the sea was rough, and the little craft was tossed about dangerously. Water got into parts of tho engine, totalling disab.ing itFearing that the launch would be swamped those aboard jettisoned a large catch of fish wb'eh had been, secureo*. . They then hoisted a tiny sail. After drifting about on Sunday night and all day Monday they made port at a lato hour. ,

THE TAUTUKU LAUNCH. The. fishing lounoh which was reported missing from Tautuku left Tautuku on Saturday at 9 a.m., and was going to Longbeach to pick up 6ome dredging plant tor Waikawa, Tho boat expected to make Longbsich at 1 o'clock, but was seen about two miles off this point about threo hours earlier. The men were all strangers to the coast, and it was arranged that a fire should bo burned at Longbeach to show them where to land. This was done since 1 o'clock .on Saturday till 4- o'clock yestbrday afternoon by Mr Hnldane, but there was no appearance of the boat. Tho launch was a new one, and even though the engine had broken down they had a set of sails which could have been need. Anxiety was relieved yesterday, however. The chief postmaster, Dunedin, received a telegram from the postmaster at Owaka, stating that the launch had put into Fortrose for shelter, and'that her crew of four were all well.