DOMINION NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 3, 13 December 1911, Page 5

DOMINION NEWS.

WIMMERA IN A FOG

(Per Press Association.)

Auckland, December 12, The necessity for a light, with an efficient fog signal attached, on the Three Kings Islands, was well illustrated on the trip of the s.s. Wimmera from Sydney. _ She left Sydney six hours late, but made good running, and it was expected that she would arrive at Auckland at 4 p.m. yesterday. On Saturday evening, when about fifty miles to the westward of the Three Kings, the weather gradually set in thick. At 10.30 p.m., the distance to abreast of the islands had been run. The engines were then slowed down and soundings taken. Soundings were struck in 130 fathoms and, from then on to 2.30 a.m., the vessel was slowed and soundings frequently taken with decreasing depths. At 2.30 a.m. the fog lifted, and Capo Maria Van Dieman light was sighted. Had there been a lighthouse with fog signals on the Three Kings it would have been of great value in helping to define the vessel’s position, as the sound would have been heard a good distance off. The weather, though thick, was favourable for sound transmission. SUBMERGED SNAG STRUCK. Auckland, December 12. The Northern Steamship Company’s steamer Taniwha, which arrived at Paeroa from Auckland last night, was this morning discovered to be leaking and the hold was. soon flooded to a depth of four feet. The leak was caused by the vessel striking a submerged snag. Some of the cargo was damaged, and the vessel left for Auckland for repairs. FOUND DROWNED. Auckland, December 12. John MacFarlane, formerly manager for the Hokianga Sawmill Co. at Kohukohu, was found drowned in the Waihou River to-day. DREDGE MEN STRIKE. Gisborne, December 12. Yesterday the employees on the Harbour Board’s dredge Maui made •an application for an increase in wages. The Board pointed out that they were cited by the Labourers’ Union' before the Arbitration Court, therefore the matter was subjudice. This morning ten men decided to cease work in the evening, being dissatisfied with the reply. The Board took action, and have applied for ; further men to fill the places of those striking. The trouble is not considered likely to spread, and the men, seeing the action of the Board, may apply for reinstatement.