MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR AT LAKE WAKATIP.

Evening Star, Issue 3283, 28 August 1873, Page 2

MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR AT LAKE WAKATIP.

On the IDth inst. two men named James Rennie and James Reid left Queenstown in a boat for the purpose of returning to Mavora Station, where they were both employed. Two days afterwards it was reported to the police that Rennie had reached tiie station alone, and on board the steamer Antrim. Rennie stated that when Reid and himself left Queenstown they were both the worse for drink, and the boat was leaking very much. After proceeding about four miles, Reid proposed that they should open one of two bottles of brandy which they had on board. Rennie objected to this proposal, and the bottle was not touched. There was a great deal of water in the boat by this time, and Reid took a bucket to bail her out. He missed his balance while doing so, and fell overboard, Rennie succeeded in getting him aboird; but as the bucket had gone over with Reid they had no means of bailing the water. Then they resolved to run her ashore, in order to get rid of the water by capsizing her. Rennie states that when he jumped ashore, Reid pushed the boat off at once, and paying no heed to bis remonstrances, headed up the Lake. Rennie lost sight of the boat, and then had to'make the best of his Way out of the bush. After wandering about for some time he discovered a deserted tent at the Seven Mile Beach, in which he slept for the remainder of the night. He then returned to Queenstown just in time to catch the steamer Antrim. Diligent search has been made for the missing but no trace of him has been discovered. The mast and sail'of the boat were picked up on the 21st inst., between Queenstown and Kingston. Reid is a single man, and is said to be a cousin of Mr John Reid, late of Dunedin.