THE RIVERTON BOAT ACCIDENT.

Evening Star, Issue 3785, 12 April 1875, Page 2

THE RIVERTON BOAT ACCIDENT.

A gloom was cast over the town and district on Wednesday by the intelligence that fears were entertained that the Government whaleboat, with a crew of six men, which left Orepuki on Tuesday morning in search of the body of Memphis, was lost, and that all herdrew had perished. Later on, news came to town that a portion of the boat had been picked up, and that there were but slight kopea of ,the safety of the men. A search party left Riverton early on Thursday morning, proceeded towards Ore* puki by the beach, and at Paihi Point, about four miles east of Oiepuki, they came across six of the bodies. It was then discovered that there had been two John Thomsons in the boat (* Little John ’ and * Big John.’ as they were known by their fellow-mineis), which made seven, instead of six, as at first reported, and that Charles Davis's body was moping, The names of the other unfortunate men, .are James Parsons, Robert Connies, James McDonald, and John Dawson. All the men, with the ex* caption of James Parsons (long and favorably known as “Deaf Jimmy ”), Were inthe prime of life, and the pick of the district. One of the men leaves a widow and family, another was a widower, and leaves fot£ children, jand several of the others had relatives dependent upon for them support. The p*rty were by experienced m4n against Tempting' to go to sea m the . boat in snob weather; but, at the earnest entreaty-of Mrs Memphis to seek for the musing body other they were prevailed upon tp embark upon such a perilous cruise.. Mr Henry. | lm>n has been placed in possesionof a oheque for L2O by an anonymous contributor, for the relief of the relatives of the deceased men.