The s.s.Wairoa, which is to leave Dunedin very soon en route to the Auckland Island with a party in search of the treasure which went down in the General Grant 46 years ago, is on her way to Dunedin now, having left Wellington for this port.
She is a stable-looking craft of 49 tons register, and to all intents and purposes she looks quite a likely vessel for the purpose in view. Up to the time of her purchase by an American syndicate the Wairoa was engaged towing logs on the Wairoa River. For some time past she has been re-fitting at Auckland, and commenced her journey at midnight on Saturday week. She experienced good weather until Tuesday. Then she ran into a hard north-west gale, and was compelled to run for shelter to White Rock, on the East Coast, above Cape Palliser.
Here the first real trouble was met - her two anchors were lost. Steam being handy, however, her master (Captain Cook) put her head to sea and steamed out. When she leaves this port the Wairoa will have 20 souls on board - the total number of the "treasure-seeking" party. They will take 12 months' provisions with them, and about 70 tons of gear. To equip the expedition the sum of 15,000 has, or will be, expended. The Auckland Islands are about 200 miles south of the Bluff, and it is probable that the Wairoa will return to New Zealand from time to time. However, all is conjecture. The whole scheme has been carefully planned and thought out, and the result of the "treasure seekers" experiences will be awaited with interest.
• Dr H. C. McDouall, at the annual meeting of the After-care Association, at Sydney last week, appealed to the public for greater friendship to those who had recovered from a mental affliction. He pointed out that many a relapse was due to the atmosphere of suspicion and distrust thrown around those who had just been released from a mental hospital. He knew of a man who would not write to his wife or friends in England of his mental illness, because it was a "disgrace to have been insane," and he replied, "It is no more a disgrace for you to have had a mental illness than if you had had pneumonia, typhoid fever, or any other illness." The sentiment was greeted with applause.
Continuing, the doctor said. "One would almost think we were in the Dark Ages, when people thought insanity was a visitation from the devil. I am afraid that in polite society we must not mention the devil. Still, there are people who seem to have the same old superstition that insanity is something so disgraceful that the victims should be punished both in this world and in the next.
Unfortunately, though many people disclaim the idea, they have such a feeling at the back of their minds For the sake of humanity, we have to fight that feeling of dislike and distrust of those who have been mentally afflicted."
• A recent visitor to the Chathams says the people of the islands appeared to be a happy and contented community. For anything that has been required in the shape of a church or other buildings for the benefit of the people generally they subscribe amongst themselves. They have a neat little institute, containing one of the best libraries the visitor has seen, and - happy to state - there are no rates and taxes, no county or borough councils, and no road boards, in fact, there is no need for the latter as there is only one road.- ODT, 1.4.1912.
