A Jinx On A Japanese

Steamer.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Honolulu, Jan. 5.

THOSE who believe that a jinx is some deliberate stroke of fate will be interested in the career of the old steel freighter “Buffalo Bridge”, which was bought in October last from an American company by Japan. Promptly the rusty steamer was loaded with scrap iron and lumber, and prepared for her long voyage to war-gripped Japan.

On October 23 the engines broke down, when the freighter was 950 miles from Honolulu. A tug was sent to the rescue. With a bad list, the “Buffalo Bridge” was towed into Honolulu for repairs.

On December 6, the ship set off foi Japan. Only 120 miles out of Honolulu, she was forced to turn back; engine trouble again.

On December 17 she set off again for the industrial yards of Osaka, but 400 miles out the jinx worked once more, and back she came to Honolulu.

The “Buffalo Bridge” for the third time is in the hand of local shipwrights.

It is hoped she will sail again for Japan early in January.

The ship was bought for approxi mately 30,000 dollars, and so far her repairs in Honolulu have cost some 25,000 more.

Incidentally, there is another Jap anese steamer in port now lifting a large consignment of scrap metal for Japan’s war factories. The metal came from discards at the U.S. navy base, Pearl Harbour, the purpose of which is to act as U.S. navy pivot in the defence scheme against Japan—just another angle of the inconsistency of the armed nations.

Dr. A. H. B. Pearce, Chief Medical Officer in Fiji, arrived in New Zealand with his wife by the January “Aorangi”, on leave.

Mr. L. J. Warren, manager of the Union S.S. Co., Ltd., in the Cook Group, was in New Zealand in January on furlough.

Mr. Greg Neilson, proprietor of the Picture Theatre at Nukualofa, Tonga, arrived in New Zealand by the January “Matua”.