Our Wellington Letter

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 64, 16 November 1889, Page 3

Our Wellington Letter

fPBOM OTJB. OVTS COKRFSPONDENT.I Wellington, Nm ember 14. Quite a gloom was cast over the city last Saturday afternoon when the news reached town of the untimely death by drowning of one: of our most promising vocalists, Mr Ernest Widdop who, though only 24 years of age, has rendered very valuable service to many a deserving bause, by using his flue voice whenever asked, and in musical circles lie will be. very much missed. Not -long since nearly all the papers in the colony were •' croaking" about the exodus, which was said to be taking place with every boat that left our shores for Australia. ' If that were true, the tide has now turned, for the Waihora brought with her yesterday from Sydney 160 passengers.

A great sensation was caused in the vicinity of the Queen's wharf this afternoon, a respectable young man named McKay, who. is evidently non compos mentis, was seized with the desire to take a run to the old country, and the Tainni being in the stream aud just about to sail seemed a favorable opportunity for carrying the desire into action with this end in view he hired a waterman to row him to the vessel, but he had not proceeded far before Mr Jas. Smith, the well known

proprietor of Te Aro House, and who has been looking after the young, man started in pursuit, accompanied by a constable and several sea-faring nietf. "When the fugitive boat was captured, McKay stripped himself and jumped overboard, he was, however, soon dragged on board again, a struggle then took place in which Mr * Smith - came in for a severe handling,

being nearly throttled by McKay ; he was at last pulled off and after being bound hand and foot was rowed to the wharf and subsequently driven to the police station for medical examination. The affair was very exciting while it lasted, and was witnessed by hundreds of spectators.