IN THE DOMINION.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 21, 26 May 1909, Page 5

IN THE DOMINION.

'7 TKe Ae®M Wreck. THE British cruiser Cumbrian, which arrived this morning from the South Seas (says th* “SemiWeekly Star,” Honolulu, of March 12th), brought an immensely interesting story of the condition of the Aeon, the vessel wrecked on (Christmas Island, and the story makes it tippear not at all unlikely that Eben Low and the Concord expedition may make a winning out of their venture. The cruiser arrived at Christmas Island on March 4, or only six days ago. !As was to be expected, the wreck of the Aeon was the most conspicuous and interesting thing about. The warship steamed as close to her as possible. Her low end was stuck on the reef, but the remainder of the vessel seemed to have broken away and either sunk or been carried off by the tide.

The entire length of the beach on the side nearest the wreck was strewn with goods from the stranded ship. The merchandise was in most cases ruined by .water and sand, much of it being buried In the latter. No attempt was made to board the small part of the wreck left In sight, as there was nothing of Value exposed to the view, the appearance being that the entire cargo had disappeared.

Officers and a boat’s crew landed and took a survey of the beach drift. It jvas a sorry looking spectacle. As far as the eye could see on either side the stuff was washed up with the sand. Not a soul was on the island. After a short Btay on the island the crew returned to the ship and the Cambrian steamed away. The story that pirates had looted and blown up the Aeon was doubted by (officers aboard the Cambrian; but when questioned as to the reason for this opinion, they seemed to have none other than the general impression that there were no longer any pirates in the Pacific .Ocean.

It was evident that something out of the ordinary had happened to the Aeon. She may have broken up on the reef, but, if so, must have experienced an extremely severe storm to have gone to pieces in Bo short a time. 4

The report of dynamiting was new to the officers of the Cambrian, but they readily assented that such was possible. There was not enough left of her to tell from the wreck just what had happened. If pirates were there, however, they had certainly left an immense lot of stuff bn the beach, and this constituted the only reason, other than the general one above given, for doubting that pirates had been there. It is easily possible, however, that the pirates took away all they could carry and expected to return for more. The' old huts of the Aeon’s crew were still there. If Eben Low’s outfit arrived there shortly after the Cambrian’s visit, the chances are that a full load of stuff, bf more or less value, was picked up. Blaze at Masterton. iFire broke out at 1 a.m. on Wednesday, at Masterton, in a fruit Shop and billiard saloon occupied by a Japanese named Ah Hop, part of a two-story block of buildings close to the Post Office. It was raining heavily Rt the time. The fire spread along the lipper stories and practically destroyed Ihe buildings. The others destroyed [Were occupied by Mrs Horne (refresh-

ment saloon), Blinkhorn (tobacconist), Clarke (fish shop), Cole arid Westerman (drapers). A large part of the latter’s stock was removed, but waa much damaged. The Schooner Tuhara. The auxiliary schooner Tuhara, 97 tons, which was blown ashore while nt anchor at Kinikini, near Long Point, Mahia Peninsula, is reported to be practically a total wreck. Captain McNab remains near the sconn of the casualty, but the crew returned to Napier last week. E. Goodall and A. Newnian, A.B.’s, said that owing to the heavy sea and strong wind the Tuhara anchored in the bight of Txmg Point on Saturday week. Early on Sunday morning one of the anchors carried away. The engines were kept going at full speed ahead, but the vessel dragged the remaining anchor, and this was lost at daybreak. The vessel was then driven broadside on to the rocks, and became fixed where she struck. The crew, who had put on lifebelts, managed to launch a boat, and a line was taken ashore. They stood by the ship for a while, and then secured their effects, and went to Mr. George Ormond’s station, where they were treated with great kindness. Goodall and Newman describe the sea as of a mountainous character, and say the crew had a narrow escape. It was fortunate for them they were driven ashore in daylight, instead of during the night. The Health Department. The Hon. D. Buddo informed our Wellington correspondent that the reorganisation of the Public Health Department would not involve any change in the work carried out by the Department. He does not consider the Department is overstaffed. No alteration will be made in this direction. It was intended to appoint Dr. Mason’s successor before he left for England, so that the new chief health officer would be ready to take up his new duties without any break. The difference likely to be made in the duties would not really affect the position of the chief health officer to any great extent. Nothing had yet been done regarding the appointment of a successor to Dr. Buck as native health officer in the Auckland province, as it involved an important question re the administration of this branch of the Department’s work, which was still under consideration. Meanwhile Dr. Pomare would exercise supervision over Dr. Buck’s late district. Hard. Up ! Owing to heavy expend it lire, the Hobson County Council finds itself placed in financial straits, and the acting-chairman of the Council interviewed the manager of the National Bank with a view to securing temporary assistance of £lOOO, in order to pay accounts which at present the Council are unable to discharge. The chairman was promised that the matter -would be placed before Uhd Bank’s directors, and that the manager would recommend that assistance ba given, provided the members of the Council gave their personal bond. A special meeting Is to be called to discuss the position, but- In the meantime the payment of accounts authorised cannot be met in consequence of there being no money in hand. The position is most acute, but relief is shortly expected, when a rate just etruck commences to find its way into the treasury. One applicant for charitable aid stated that he had not had any money for six months.

An Eye-opener. From what a member of the Timber Commission said to a “New Zealand Times" reporter, the South Island representatives were amazed at the extent and nature of the bush on the Main Trunk line. They had not seen anything like it. lAnotbar thing which struck them was the improved sawmilling plant in use in the North Island as compared with that of the South. They were also greatly impressed with the immense kauri forests at Kaihu, in Mr. Stallworthy’s electorate. The members of the Commission were favourably impressed with the good work that is •being done at the State plantation, near Rotorua. They were inclined, from what they said, to generally support more extensive active work of this kind. Smuggled Boots. Mr. Cruickshank, S.M., gave judgment last week in Christchurch in cases in which several Blub - residents were charged with purchasing smuggled boots from the chief steward of the Opawa, who was recently fined £3O. The Customs law, the magistrate said, was very stringent for obvious reasons. Certain acts relating to smuggling were absolutely prohibited, and a person who committed them, no matter how innocently, must pay the penalty. Defendants must be convicted, though ha was satisfied they were innocent of any intention to defraud. They were ordered to forfeit the boots, and pay three times their value, £3, which amount would be reduced to fifteen shillings without costs. Three informations against Stell, a bookmaker, were dismissed, his explanation being regarded as satisfactory.