Apia Motor-Cutter Disappears

Youth’s Misplaced Urge for Adventure

From Our Own Correspondent

Apia, Jan. 20.

A SENSATION was caused in Apia on January 2, when it was discovered that during the early morning hours, the motor-cutter, Gaumata, belonging to Messrs, O. F. Nelson & Co., Ltd., had been taken from her anchorage by unauthor ised persons and had disappeared.

Police investigation showed that the boat had been taken out about 2 a.m. and that four youths employed on ships

or on the waterfront were also missing.

They were Lolisea, Moti Pereira, Pe’au (nightwatchman of the Gaumata) and Mago, all of whom had been seen to gether on the evening preceding the theft of the vessel.

As far as is known the vessel carried only sufficient gasoline for a trip of 300 miles, and a small quantity of food. A dinghy belonging to Messrs. C. Bartley & Son’s was also missing, but was later recovered in a damaged condition at Solesole beach, east of Apia.

An American plane from Pago Pago was asked to search for the missing vessel, and spent two days unsuccessfully looking for her. Search was hampered by poor visibility and bad weather con ditions.

Two of the boys who are missing with the cutter had taken part in the theft and subsequent loss in the Solomon Islands of the motor vessel, Wyben (be longing to Messrs. A. G, Smyth & Co., Ltd., of Apia) in 1047. They were Lolisea and Moti Pereira, and at their trial, after that incident, they pleaded that they were “forced” to take part in the theft.

The case against them was dismissed.

Bad weather and rough seas on the days following the theft of the Gaumata may have caused the total loss of the cutter and its crew. No trace has been found to date.

Apia Feb 3

The Gaumata has been found, safely at anchor, at Tau, in American Samoa. The crew have been arrested.

Police and a new crew have been sent to bring her back to Apia.

Gaumata.