Water Lily Wrecked.

Crew Reach Auckland.

THE crew of the ketch “Water Lily,” which was wrecked at Vaitapu in the Ellice Islands, reached Auckland on April 17 from Nauru by the motorship “Victoria”. They told a graphic story of their misfortunes.

There was a crew of four aboard con sisting of Messrs. S. Gerard (master), Harris, Parson, and an Ellice Islander.

Off Vaitupu the ketch encountered a sudden squall in the night and a rigging screw in the shrouds was started.

Before it could be repaired the rigging on the port side carried away and, soon after the sail had been stowed the main mast fell to windward and began to bat ter the side of the ship. Before it could be cut away with hacksaws it had started the planking and the vessel took in much water. Efforts to get the “Water Lily” under way with a jury rig on the mizzen failed and, as she was now waterlogged, she had to be aban doned in the lifeboat. After a hazardous passage through the reefs the crew reached the shore.

Mr. Harris said that they owed their lives to the New Zealand Marine De partment which insisted on a lifeboat being- carried on the “Water Lily.”

The Government ketch “Melbider,” with the Acting- Protector of Aborig nals on board, left in April for patrol of the Eastern group of Torres Strait Islands. It is expected that she will shortly visit the aboriginal stations in the Gulf, with the Acting-Protector and Dr. Nimmo, on inspection.