THE WINTON COACH ACCIDENT.

Evening Star, Issue 3714, 18 January 1875, Page 3

THE WINTON COACH ACCIDENT.

To the Editor. Sir, —We bear testimony that Mr Powell took the leading part in saving the coach in the Kingston-Invercar ill accident at the Mataura ford.—We are, &c., H. Manpvus, M. Malaoban. Dunedin, January 15 To the Editor. Sir. —Allow me space, as your informant re this accident, to state that Messrs Bydone and Smith are quite correct, in stating that “ i lent little am in saving the m-fortunate driver’s property.” I did lend aid n saving the passengers’ lugeage I suffer from a Spinal complaint, brought on by a fall from a horse, and had not the physical strength necessary to help to save the coach Besides it was unnecessary, as Messrs Bydone and Smith say, “there were many willing bands to redder assistance ” Just so. hut it not exactly the time for “ cbucoCting a

pretty romance.” All agreed upon a presentation souvenier to Mr Powell. We had to hurry on as witne ses in the case of Malagh. n v. V\ eakheim, and the opportunity has gone by. Gveryone is wonderfully cool now. and precise as to what they did. 1 orofrg«e I to do nothing, and told Messrs Bydone and Smith that 1 tfas unable to take the acnive part I desired. The passengers and the teamsters knew this, and respected the cau e i am sorry to have to write 8" egotistically, and r eel compelled to offer an apology for thus claiming a portion of your c.dumus.—l am, etc , H. Mandehr Shamrock Hotel, Dunedin, .January 15. To the Editor. Sir, We have simply to state that your report of the above accident was substantially correct. ic is to lie regretted that Vles.-rs Byd- ne and Smith’s names, as well as the teamsters’, were n-t mo tioned as having lent valuable aid. All did lend va luab'e aid—all assisted ; but, as in an eu gagenunt in a battle, some one distinctly comes forward as the hero of the hour The following is a portion of a telegram from Mr Ayuie, of the Venus expedition party, who was quite cool, and lent valuable assistance In fact he was the very last to leave the coach, and had secured the chronometers, &c., first;— “On the occasion of the accident in the Mataura River, had it not been for the presence of mind of Mr Powell and his energetic exertions, the lives of all the passengers would have been lost, and that of Plicrhimself, who totally lost his head and was unable to do anything.” —We are, &c , H. Wanders, W. Powell. Dunedin, January 15.