LATER PARTICULARS.

Feilding Star, Volume XIX, Issue 28, 2 August 1897, Page 2

LATER PARTICULARS.

FINDING OF THE BODIES. (Per Press Association.] Gisbobne, July 31The two bodies picked np on the Te Kawakawa beacb, near Muriwai, were brought into town by Constable Smith late this afternoon and laid out is the Morgue. August 1. The sensation arising out of the wreck of the Tasmania was retired yesterday by tie disoovery during the night and early in the morning of several dead bodies washed up on the Kaita beach, within a few minutes walk of the town. It is hard to say how the bodies came there, but the presumption is that the yawl commanded by the Quartermaster and containing the Chief Steward and others must have foundered off the coast, thongh exactly where it is impossible to calculate. Ona sad feature is that the bodies so far recovered on this beach are all stewards. These brave fellows had to find places in the small craft which were the last to be filled, and which it would seem had a scarcely sufficient proportion of able seamen. The same remark applies to the boat found at Muriwai, in which besides the carpentor thera was only one seaman, McNellie, who, when the others became exhausted, had to carry on alono the work of navigation, and. single-handed brought the dingy within two chains of the shore, where she capsized, aud where he was killed, evidently striking the rocks, for he bears upon his brow their cruel marks. The first body found upon the Kaita Beach was that of an elderly man, attired in steward's olotbing. His body was at once taken iuto the morgne, and placed alongside the two others brought from Muriwai. The body, like most of the others, had nasty wounds inflicted by the rocks. This morning two other corpses were found stretched out upon the beach and was conveyed to the morgue, the inter ior of which now presented a very grnesome aspect with its pile of lifeless clay. The first man searched had nothing on his person that would indicate to strangers who he was. Tue other steward who was most severely injured of tbo lot. being fear fully knocked about the head, was identified by a silk handkerchief fonud in his pocket, on which was written in idelible ink " A Good or Wood. An hour or two later in the morning, news came of the discovery of a body upon the islands, a mile or two further round the bay. Another occupant of tho carpenter's boat, a sailor, name unknown, has yet to be accounted for. He wa9 washed upon the beach by tbo surf with the others and started off with them across the hills. The steward Cress, when picked up on the track, was in a fearfully exhausted state, perishing from cold, and, in fact, about done. His rescuers had to light a fire alongside him to give him some warmth and restore animation. Good service was rendered at Mnriwai by Messrs Woodbine, Johnson, White man and Bartlett, who did all in their power to help and comfort the survivors, and bring in the dead bodies, which had to be conveyed in a sledge drawn by bullocks for some miles. A monster concert is being held this evening to provide tunds with which to reader some assistance to the members of the crew who were landed here. Short speeches were delivered by the Mayor and the Hon Mr Carroll, and the latter sang " The Gallants of England." Strange to say, no word has been received from Mabia to-day regarding the capsized boat and the bodies on the beach at Mabanga, though repeated le quests have been made for information. The Kaita beach today presents a busy scene from daylight until dark. A remembrance of the tragedy which took place amongst the horses on boar d was furnished by (he discovery on the beach of a portion of a horse box, and not far away was picked up a horse's hoof, freshly shod. A portion of a violin, highly prized by • lady passenger, Miss Celia Daupier, was picked up and carried away by someone unknown. All the people just arrived are unanimous in their praise of the conduct of two ladies, whose names they say deserve special mention— Mrs Milne and Miss May Thomson, who did splendid service in cheering the men daring their trying time in tho boats. A message just received from Mahia states that the search party found a body at Mahanga, evidently one of the stewards. Another body is outside the breakers. Captain Adams, master of the Dingadee, states that on his way to Mabia to pick up the shipwrecked passengers this morning he passed the scene of the wreck, and could see the tops of the Tasmania's masts standing out of the water. The masthead was Bft above water. He attached a red flag to the fore mast. Ahckland, July 81. Ths Anglian will be floated into the Calliope Dock on Monday to have her new propellor fitted, and will leave for Sydney on August 9th, taking up the Tasmania's trip. General sympathy is expressed for Captain McGee in the loss of the Tasmania. Wellington, July SI. Mr Murrell has received telegrams from all parts of the colony and Australia expressing sympathy with the loss of the Tasmania. Mr Parker, managing director of the Huddart Parker Co., oabled to Captain McGee his sympathy. Sydney, This Day. The Sydney Morning Herald, commenting on the Tasmania's wreck, says the circumstances are full of honor to all concerned. That at the hoar of danger and surprise the people behaved splendidly. The passengers and crew showed both were animated by ths same heroical spirit. Nor must it be forgotten the latter division of tha Tasmania's people bad all the labour of the transfer to the boats and furnished nearly all the victims. The conduct of all on board, among circumstances most trying to their fortitude, and their unselfishness, throws a light upon the hidden strength and resource of average humanity,