SUPPOSED FIRE AT SEA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20743, 14 June 1929, Page 9

SUPPOSED FIRE AT SEA.

REPORT PROVES INCORRECT. EXCITEMENT AT GISBORNE. (Pek United Press Association.) GISBORNE, June 13, Some excitement was caused in Gisborne this afternoon on receipt of news that a large liner, latqr identified as the Canadian Transporter, was apparently on fire in the Bay of Plenty, but later advice was to the effect that the report was incorrect. The first news came through at 4.10 p.m., whon the chief postmaster at Gisborne received the following message from the postmaster at Lottin Point: “ Large steamer proceeding south, about eight'miles out at sea, appears to be on lire, hut am unable to get any details.” At 4.30 the Lottin Point postmaster further reported: “Vessel appears to be oil burner; one white funnel, Home liner. Smoke subsided, everything- appears normal again.” At 5.30 a third report came from the Lottin Point postmaster as follows: "A vessel, probably the Mako, working Lottin Point to-night, has been sighted, and could render any assistance necessary.”

Between 5.30 and 8 o’clock the liner had turned the corner of the island on her run to Wellington and was well on her way down the east coast. Apparently the lighthouse keeper at East Cape signalled a report of the fire to the liner, for at 8.15 the chief postmaster at Gisborne, reported as follows; “Canadian Transporter signalled no-fire; all well.”

Lottin Point is a small village some 10 miles from Hicks Bay, at the extreme edge of the Bay of Plenty. The Mako mentioned in the message is a small coaster running between Gisborne and Auckland.