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Grey River Argus, Issue 153, 5 January 1867, Page 2

We are informed that in oonsequence of the heavy weather the Panama 'Company's steamer Phoebo will not call at this port on * J her way to Wellington. ; The s s. Kennedy left Nelson on Friday the 28th ult., at 3 p.m. ■; arrived off Farewell Spit at 9 o'clock same evening, but being met with a heavy S.W. gale, ran back for shelter ' to Totaranui, and lay there until Sunday morninc. Made a fresh start and was off the Snit acaW by noon, but tho gale continuing lav toiiiU 3 a.m. on the Ist. Arrived at the Buller on Wednesday at 6 a.m., and sailed = ajrain on Thursday morning Meeting a . hpavy sea -off the Steeples, and being short of coal brought #nuder Cape. l-oulwmd. Got under weigh on Thursday night and arrived -off the Giey yesterday monnimat 5 o clock,. and entered the river at 7 o'ejucky

Our old friend the Lioness put in an appearance on Thursday afternoon. She towed up the schooner Moyne from Hokitika, and her charge; had a' severe tossing on 'the bar, and would under less fortunate circumstances have inevitably come to grief. Being quite jight the Moyne was like a shuttle-cock on the waves, the heavy breakers lifting her up on their crests and shaking her about in a most uncomfortable manner, but luckily the tow line proved good and true, and the Lioness pulled her through the danger and brought her safely to the wharf. Yesterday ■ the Lioness towed in the Mary Ann and John and Jane, both from Melbourne, Mr Rodger, cf Glasgow, the owner of the celebrated clipper Taeping, has, it is said, presented her commander with the munificent gift of LSOO, to mark his appreciation of that, officer's nautical skill, which did so much towards winning the great ocean race from China. So keen, it is stated, was the interest felt in the match by some of the crews engaged, that the meu of the Fiery Cross wagered a month's pay of all on board on the success of their own vessel against the Serica ; the hands of the latter entering into a similar engagement, which the earlier arrival of their vessel enabled them to win. A melancholy accident occurred in Lyttelton harbor yesterday morning, by which a young man named James Parker lost his life. The yacht Flying Mist started for a cruize about 8 o'clock, having on board the deceased James Parker, Herbert Armitage, Samuel Armitage, — Watson, and another whose name we have Hot been able to ascertain. The wind at the time of leaving was light from the SW, but on going about abreast of the ieof the boat was struck whilst in stays by a smart squall from the NE, throwing her on he? beam ends, when tho ballast shifted and she sank. Two of the men clung to the mast as long as possible, the others striking out for the steamer Novelty, which was .anchored at a short disqance from where the accident occurred. Herbert Armitage rendered all the assistance he possibly could to the deceased, who was his step-brother, 1 nt Parker eventually sunk. The Novelty lo were :1 a boat with great prompitude and succeeded in rescuing the remaining men. Boats, were also sent from the shore, and the barques Indus and A H Badger. During the day the police, with the assistance of a shore boat, were employed in dragging for the body,. which was ultimately recovered, but not before it had been much mutilated, the greater part of the flesh having been eaten off tlie face and hand? The body ' was conveyed to the Canterbury hotel, where an inquest will he held upon it to-day. A dog which was in the boat at the time was drowned. Attempts were made yesterday to raise the boat, but without success ; fresh attempts will, however, be made to-A&y:— 'Press, December 31. A melancholy occurrence took place during the passage of the Albion from Melbourne, in lat 53deg 45inin S, long 157deg 57min E, a steerage passenger, Francis Hoffmeister, committing suicide by jumping overboard ; the engines having been stopped and reversed, the life-boat was lowered, under the charge of Mr Tyrie, and notwithstanding the heavy sea on at the time returned with thebody in a few minutes after. On the body being received on board every exertion was made to restore animation, hut life was fouud to be extinct. We understand that the unfortunate man was suffering from delirium trewem at the time he committed gclf-des-tructlon.