SURVEYING THE COAST.

Te Aroha News, Volume XLI, Issue 65781, 28 February 1925, Page 2

SURVEYING THE COAST.

VESSEL BOUND FOR JAPAN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HEARS OF STRANGE HAPPENINGS FULL INQUIRY INTENDED Inquiries are being made by the Federal authorities regarding certain happenings at Merewether at a late hour on Sunday night. A news agent at Merewether was called out of bed and asked by a foreign woman questions regarding the depth of water off Merewether Beach, and whether it was possible to bring a steamer close in. He replied that he knew nothing of such matters, and the woman departed. On Tuesday morning the signal master at Newcastle sighted the Norwegian steamer Havo coming up from the south, when she suddenly turned as if to go into Merewether Beach. Fearing that the ship had mistaken the entrance of Newcastle harbour, the signal master signalled: “Stand off. you are in danger.” The vessel gave no indication of having seen the signals, and steamed slowly up the coast till opposite Nobby’s. Thinking that possibly the Havo, being a foreign ship, did not understand the signals, the pilot vessel went out to meet her. When she was within half a mile of the vessel, the Havo, still without acknowledging the signals, Avent full steam ahead, and was soon lost sight of up the coast. The Federal Department views the happenings as something requiring the fullest investigation. It is submitted that the steamer, laden with wheat for Japan as the Havo was, could not afford to waste time in inspection of the coast-line, while the refusal to acknowledge signals cannot be regarded without apprehension.