The Missing Hanua.

Samoanische Zeitung, Volume 19, Issue 19, 10 May 1919, Page 5

The Missing Hanua.

Riaoired Sees Off Saiaii. Anxiety is increasing as to the welfare of the “ Manna,” definite tidings of which have not been received since she left under sail for Pago Pago now three weeks ago. The boat left Apia Harbour on her journey of 80 odd miles on | the 17th April, with Capt. R. v| F. Williams in command, and pR, Sauer engineer. These p’were the only white men on board, the rest ot the crew, eight in number, being natives. There were no passengers. She carried a full cargo of miscellaneous goods, including tinned meats. Since her departure nothing was seen or heard of her until the other day, when Mr. P. Boteler, (Messrs. J. Rothschild and Co., agents for the boat,) received a letter from Governor Poyer’s secretary, announcing a rumour that she had been sighted on the 2nd inst. some miles to the eastward of Tutuila. The “ Fortune ” was sent out in quest of her, but returned after a fruitless search. It is further rumoured that she was seen on Thursday of last week off the coast of Savaii, near Salailua. The latter rumour reached ■ Apia on Thursday last, and it was at once arranged to despatch the “ Fealofani ” the same evening to Savaii to investigate. Many conflicting theories are current to account for her disappearance. One thing is certain, that if no worse fate has befallen her, she must have drifted far away from her course, the “ Dawn ” having crossed the straits on two occasions without sighting any trace of her. During her absence there have been strong winds and squalls coming from an easterly direction, and there is good reason to hope that the rumour from Salailua is true, and that the boat has been driven away beyond Savaii by adverse winds. If that be the case, all is well, as, although there may be a shortage of biscuits, there is plenty of other food on board, while as regards the water supply the many copious showers which have fallen dispel all cause for uneasiness.