Desperate Plight

Waikato Times, Volume 123, Issue 20692, 30 December 1938, Page 6

Desperate Plight

PARTY ON ISLAND! j SHORT OF PROVISIONS KETCH TO THE RESCUE CREW HARD TO OBTAIN (By Telegraph.—Press Association) AUCKLAND, Friday Quietly leaving port on Wednesday afternoon, the auxiliary ketch Miena With a crew of eight hurriedly signed on sailed for the Kermedecs with provisions urgently needed by a survey .party which had been working on the Island for some time. The Miena was chartered by the Government for a special trip as the plight of the party was becoming desperate. Two attempts had been made by | the cruisers Achilles and Leander to land stores, but on each occasion owing to the rough weather the ships were unable to get sufficiently close to the island. Subsequently radio messages were received in New Zealand requesting that provisions be dispatched urgently and also asking that a cow and three sheep be sent. The Miena is regularly engaged in carrying cement from Auckland to Whangarei. Difficulties were experienced owing to the holiday in obtaining a crew, but the Marine' Department and the Seamen's Union co-operated. No Live Stock Secured The usual master of the Miena, Mr V. J. Sayer, who has a home trade certificate, went as first mate. Captain Burgess, formerly r * the mission steamer, Southern Cross, sailed hi command, while Mr H. J. C. George, the well-known solicitor and yachtsman and a brother of the owner of the Miena, signed on as “ boy.” The Miena carried eight of a crew and one passenger and will bring a passenger on her return. She took 20 tons of provisions and some timber. Livestock could not be procured in time. There is difficulty in landing at the Kermedecs caused by big swell and a dangerous surf.