CALL FOR HELP.

Otago Witness, Issue 3673, 5 August 1924, Page 30

CALL FOR HELP.

HOAX OR WRECK? (From Ocr Own Correspondent ) SYDNEY, Juh 25. The Navigation authorities are always in difficulties when a bottle with a call for help is washed up. It has been proved in the past that there are people with minds so puerile and warped as to delight in any sensation caused by ihe finding of such a missive which 1 hev have written as a hoax, no withstand:ng 'the inevitable result of undermining confidence in genuine notes. Such a note was last week washed ashore at Semaphore Beach; Port Adelaide, and the question of its authenticity or otherwise is causing-the authorities much concern. If it be genuine there are human beings possibly in dire distress, and the responsibility of saying that it is a hoax is very great. On tlie face of it it beare the impress of truth. It is just a small piece of worn brown paper which might even have been portion of the padding of a sailor’s hat, and the wording pencilled ill printed characters completely filled it. They ran: “10/1/23 £1666 if found. Help. AVe are wrecked near Thursday Island. Please help if possible. Cod speed. J M Donald. ' The authorities admit the possibility of the genuiness of the note, but suspect a hoax Captain Henry, Deputy Director of Navigation at Port Adelaide in support of this belief emphasises tlie fact the the missive was pencilled lr hand-printed capital letters, as was also the supposed name of tlie (sender. The vicunily of Thutrsdaor Island and Torres Strait, he said, wa3 studded with islands. These were always large fleets of pearl luggers in the straits, liiif not word had been received of any vessel being in peril there. The early belief that the °messaga might refer to the Douglas Yaw son was soon discounted by ihe fact lliat none of tlie name of M’Donald was oil board.