ESCAPEES FROM MOTUIHI.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 28, 29 December 1917, Page 7

ESCAPEES FROM MOTUIHI.

NARRATIVE OF THE CAPTURE. INTERNED IN MT. EDEN GAOL. Auckland, December 28. Publication of the following narrative is authorised by the Naval Adviser : Leaving Motuihi on the evening of December 13, the Germans made direct round to Mercury Islands, leaching the group in twelve hours. Count von Luvkner posted a look-out on the high headland of Rpd Mercury Island, the easter-most of the group. This man discovered the approach of the scows Moa and Rangi. Von Luckher immediately decided to seize the Moa, allowing the Rangi to pass the launch, which was steered for the Moa. The crew of the.scow-watched the. approach of the launch without alarm, not knowing of the escape. Only one man was seen in the stern of the launch. He was in khaki. Immediately the launch ran alongside, the remaining' members of the party appeared. They were armed with what .appeared to be bombs. The Moa was boarded, and the crew informed that they were civilian prisoners of the Kaiser. The Germans had a handmade nautical instrument for ascertaining their position, and also a rough chart made out of two old maps taken from an atlas. The Germans took full charge of the Moa, but made the scow's crew work the vessel. The Germans i.i sufficient food to last two or three weeks. Land was siglited on the morning of December 21. Five Germans went ashore in a dinghy, and returned with a load of provisions from the depot. The dinghy was ashore for a second load when a steamer was sighted, The Germans ashore were signalled to return to the Moa, which was put under way with all sails set, in a westerly direction.

On December 21 the steamer sent to search for the Germans was steaming towards Curtis Island, and was fifteen miles to the north of that island when tlir> Moa was sighted near McDonald cove. As soon as the Germans saw the steamer, the Moa was directed on a course to the west under full press of sail. The signal "Heave to or I will fire" was hoisted on the steamer, but the Moa's course was not altered. She was then stopped by a shot across her bows. Von Luckner remarked to the captors: "You left the door open. You cannot blame me for walking out." Prior to any of the Germans going on board the steamer, they were observed to throw in the sea a number of weapons. Shortly after their arrival on Wednesday the recaptured men were conveyed to the Mt. Eden gaol. Their future disposition has not yet been decided definitely, but it is unlikely that they will go hack to Motuihi.

Von Luckner and Kirscheiss were each dressed in khaki uniform, and were naval caps. Von Egidy, who was formerly a platation owner in Samoa, was sworn in with the other members of the crew, and supplied with the uniform of a naval petty officer.