THE CUTTER MARORO.

Otago Witness, Issue 3959, 28 January 1930, Page 5

THE CUTTER MARORO.

HER MYSTERIOUS MOVEMENTS. OWNERS PERTURBED. AUCKLAND, January 22. No news has been heard of the auxiliary cutter Maroro since she left Pago Pago a week ago ostensibly bound for Apia. On November 18 the vessel disappeared from Auckland with Eugene Fischer (of Auckland), his wife, and four children and A. B. Walker (Mr F ischer's stepson) on board. The Beaver Boat and Engine Company, of Nelson street, state that the boat was handed over to Fischer for a fortnight’s trial on the undertaking that he did not go beyond the boundaries of Hauraki Gulf. However, nothing was heard of the boat until January 7, when word was received that the craft had entered the American port of Pago Pago without passports or papers of any description entitling her to negotiate foreign waters. A few days later, although the owners communicated with the American authorities and asked them to detain the boat, the Maroro left the port with Apia as her avowed destination. A cablegram was then sent to the Administrator of Western Samoa (Mr S. S. Allen) asking him to inform the company when the Maroro reached Apia. This morning came the reply that there had been no appearance of the vessel. As it is only a two days’ run from Pago Pago to Apia the vessel should have arrived at the latter port some days ago. Unless a mishap has occurred to her she must be either at some other island or on her way to Auckland. It is feared that if she makes for Tahiti the fact that she is sailing under the British flag will render it more difficult for the French authorities to detain the vessel. The owners will have to work through the agency of the French consul here. Mr Peter Smith, of the Beaver Boat Company, had intended to sail by the Tofua for Apia to claim his projierty, but in view of the boat’s second disappearance he has decided not to go in the meantime.