LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 15754, 28 February 1919, Page 7

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A London, cable states that Mr Clutha McKenzie has gone to New Zealand as Lord Jellico&’a guest. The Government Astronomer advieca that Japeteus, the eighth satellite of Saturn, will be eclipsed on Saturday morning, Ist March. The liner Matatua is to leave New Plymouth this evening for Wanganui, so she will probably put in an appearance here to-morrow. It will be remembered that early in 1916 the Matatua, while loading at St. John’s, Newfoundland, suffered an internal explosion, and took fire, and the vessel haid to be sunk to extinguish the flames. After being raised, she was taken to Halifax for rcand left for Quebec, running ashore en route. The vessel returned to Haliftx for temporary repairs, after jettisoning most of her cargo. The commander of the vessel was suspended, and Captain Greene (who is now in charge) took command, and navigated the vessel to London, where she arrived about ten months after the first mishap. V The Matatua was then transformed into a troopship, and the day before she was to have embarked Australian and New Zealand soldiers a fire broke out on board, anfl she was again submerged, this time in a London dock. After being refloated she came to Australia and New Zealand and took from here a portion of the “43rds”—the last reinforcement draft to leave New Zealand. She returned last week with a draft of New Zealand soldiers on board. The Matatua (a twin screw vessel) was built in 1904. Captain Greene has with him as officers: Messrs Johnston (chief), Betty and Dudding. and the chief engineer is Mr Geach.