HERCULEAN TASK, SAYS MINISTER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18946, 17 December 1929, Page 1

HERCULEAN TASK, SAYS MINISTER.

The lion P. A. de la Perrelle, Minister of Internal Affairs, who is at present in Christchurch, immediately on learning of the wreck of the Manuka, called on Mr N. S. Falla, chief traffic manager of the Union Steam Ship Company, Wellington, who is on a visit to the city, and Mr W. 11. Price, the local manager. Speaking of the loss of the Manuka to a “ Star ” reporter, the Minister said that all would be delighted that the passengers and crew had been saved. It must have been a Herculean task. Again, he said, the fine spirit of British seamanship has been exemplified. It was regrettable that just at the inception of the new Bluff-Melbourne service the disaster should have taken place. From conversations he had had with Mr Falla and Mr Price he felt certain that everything possible was being done by the company for the passengers and crew of the vessel. All matters connected with the wreck, he understood, were to be considered at headquarters in Wellington. Mr de la Perrelle telegraphed the i postmaster at Owaka, near the scene ! of the wreck, and received the reply ] that the Manuka is probably a total wreck. All passengers and the crew 1 are safe, but nothing else is saved yet. <