AN OIL LAUNCH BURNED.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8367, 25 February 1907, Page 5

AN OIL LAUNCH BURNED.

THRILLING EXPERIENCES.

By Telegraph—Press Association

DUNEDIN, February 24

Yesterday afternoon there was considerable excitement at the wharf, the event being the burning of the launch.Maitai, in the steamers' basin, and the rescue of passengers under somewhat thrilline circumstances. It appeared that the Maitai left the wharf about 2.30 p.m. for the Maori Kaik, carrying some sixteen or seventeen excursionists. As she reached the middle of the? basin a flicker of flame was observed amidships by those who were watching from the wharf. This very speedily developed into a substantial blaze, the whole forepart of the vessel being enveloped, while there was, of course, much danger of the flames reaching the benzine tanks and causing an explosion which would probably have been fatal to everyone on board. In this emergency J. McPherson, who was in charge, at once put the launch about and headed for the dredge Vulcan, which is lying at the end of the Rattray Street wharf. It took some three or four minutes to reach the Vulcan, and by that time the launch was fairly ablaze. The passengers scrambled out of her and on to the dredge as fast as possible, and in the hurry three passengers—a lady and two gentlemen —fell into the water. It appears that the lady missed her footing, and, stumbling, drew in two gentlemen with her. She went clean under the water, and those who were lending a hand had two accidents to cope with at once. The people who wer§ struggling in the water were fished out, and in the meantime McPherson and others were busy filling the launch with water by means of buckets, besides which a hole was broken through the bottom of the vessel. Having landed the passengers, some of whom had their clothes and hair badly singed, the next thing was to get the burning vessel away from the dredge. With that end in view a launch was brought alongside and towed the Matai.now blazing furiously, away to shallow water, round past the boat-sheds, near the Jetty Street wharf, where she was sunk. The Maitai cost about £2OO. It is surmised that the conflagration was caused through someone throwing down a lighted match, which ignited the vapor of the benzine.

Gout and its kindred disease rheumatism are caused by excess uric in the blood. If you suffer Bheujio will soon cure you. Give it a fair trial. 2/(j and 4/6. All stores,

I CABLE NEWS.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright