Missing

Anxiety for Ship “Joseph Conrad”

COME anxiety has been felt in Australia for the safety of the little full rigged ship Joseph Conrad, commanded by her owner A. J. Villiers, author and journalist. She has been sailing from Papua to Tahiti, via Lord Howe Island, through the area recently swept by mer ciless gales, and has not been sighted for three weeks.

Passengers who arrived in Sydney by the June Morinda from Lord Howe Island, which was the last known port of call, stated it had been rumoured that the Joseph Conrad had foundered, and all hands had perished. The origin of the rumour, however, could not be deter mined.

The tiny vessel was last sighted on May 22, 10 miles east of Cape Palliser, New Zealand, and heading north for Tahiti. It is believed in some quarters that the cyclone which devastated Nor folk Island about that time struck the ship. It was reported on Lord Howe that the auxiliary engine had been giving trouble and periodically broke down.

Should this have occurred during the cyclone there was every reason for anxiety.

Early in June wreckage was found off the coast of New Zealand. Official in quiries were made, but it was stated that the Department of Navigation was satis fied the wreckage could not have been connected with the Conrad.

Hon. G. Murray, N.G. Director of Agri culture, returned to Rabaul at the end of May, after a hurried visit to Australia .