MYSTERY CRAFT

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 223, 19 April 1933, Page 5

MYSTERY CRAFT

Surprise for Aucklanders FLYING GERMAN FLAG Auckland, April 18—A small craft nosed its way round Nortn ' head tnm mommy, and wnen it was seen that she was flying tne red, wnite and black flag or Germany iijere was much speculation on tne waterfront ouicialaom, wnich was stirred into more tnan ordinary activity. Arrangements were maae to,r an anchorage off Mechanics Bay, and Customs officers stood by ready to uoaid the strange crart atter she had been granted pratique by the port heaitn officer.

lu the meantime the small craft sanecl on, and eventually drooped alienor inside the eastern tide-deflect-or. One of tne harbour board onicials hired a special launch and went alongside tne yacflt to make inquiries. "Where from." he asked, and in good English came tne reply: "From Tanapuna." It was learned that the crew of two were Takapuna youitis on a cruise round the harbour. They were made a present of the German flag by members of the crew of the Fmnisii barque Fasaat which recently visited Auckland. Formerly the Fasaat had flown this flag whan under German ownership. The Takapuna lads nad been flying the foreign flag from the gaff of tnuir boat lor about a mouth, and seemed quite surprised at the stir they caused this morning. Now officialdom is unuerstod to be searching the authorities to see if a technical breach of the marine laws has been committed, it is said to be more than matter of marine etiquette.