NELSON.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume V, Issue 225, 10 February 1865, Page 2

NELSON.

MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT AT THE DULLER. His Honor the Superintendent of Nelson and Three Men Drowned. (From the ISelson Examiner, January 31.) It is our most painful duty to record a very sad accident which occurred at the mouth of the Duller River on Saturday last, the 28th instant, by which His Honor J. P. Robinson, Esq., Superintendent of this Province, with the chief mate of the steamer Wallaby, and two sailors, lost their lives. We mentioned in our issue of Thursday last, that the Superintendent h.d left town on a* short visit to the Grey and Duller rivers with the intention of inspecting the coal-fields in those localities. His Honor proceeded thither iu the steamer Wal laby, and was, it appears, accompanied by his second son, Mr Edward Robinson, Mr Blackett. Provincial Engineer, Mr Eurnett, and Mr Gully; Captain Wahnesly was also a passenger on board the steamer. The party had visited the Okitiki gold-field, and after calling at the Grey and taking in coals, proceeded to the mouth of the Duller river, where the Superintendent was desirous of quitting the steamer and remaining for a tew days, intending to return by the nest trip homewards of the steamer Nelson. His Honor, accompanied by his son, Mr Eurnett’ and Mr Gully, left the vessel in one of her boat ), manned by the chief mate and two sailors, and the sea being very calm at the time, not the slightest apprehensions seem to have been entertained Vm board the steamer as their safety. Eut it pleased Him in whose hands are the issues of life and death, to ordain it otherwise, and within a very short time.after the party had quitted the vessel, the fatal catastrophe occurred, which has cast such deep gloom over the community. The sad details may bo gathered most satisfactorily from the evidence given at the inquest held upon (ho two bodies winch have been recovered, and from the letter addressed to the Acting-Superin-tendent by Mr Blackett and Captain Walmesley, acquainting that functionary with the melancholy event, and both these documents will be found below.

The afflicting intelligence reached Nelson this morning by the Wallaby, which arrived in port at eleven o’clock, bringing with her the survivors of this dreadful tragedy. It would be vain to describe the deep gloom which cast itself over the community as the mournful tidings became known, and which evidenced itself in many ways during the day. The Union Jack was hoisted halt mast high at the Government Buildings, and at the Flagstaff; the vessels lying in harbor also displayed the same token of respect, and the minute bell at Christchurch toiled the death knell until sunset, whilst the many knots of individuals in the streets sadly and sorrowfully discussing the details of the catastrophe, showed how wide and deep sympathy had been awakened by the event. _ It is scarcely necessary to add that the preparations for the fete in honor of the anniversary of the settlement of the province were immediately countermanded, and the circular which appears in this extra was issued by the Provincial Secretary in reference to the event. Mr. Robinson has left a widow with a family of ten children to lament his untimely loss, and* we nerd hardly state that the deepest sympathy is felt for them by all members of the community. He was a man of estimable character, and deservedly much respected in private life. We may mention as another melancholy fact in connection with this sad affair, that M'Culloch, who was amongst those lost on the occasion, was only married last Christmas. On board the steamer Wallaby, Blind Bay, January 31, 1865. Sib, —It is with very painful feelings we have to report to your Honor the distressing accident which occurred on Saturday, the 2Stb inst., when lying off the Buller river.

About half-past four o’clock on the afternoon of the 28th inst., on the Wallaby arriving off the harbor of the 1 Buller, from the Grey river; the master ascended the rigging for the purpose of examining the bar. Having satisfied himself that there was no apparent danger (the bar being perfectly smooth), he ordered the life-boat to be lowered, and his Honor the late Superintendent, his son, Messrs Burnett, Gully, and M Cuiloeh four seamen, and tiie chief officer with the luggage of the first-named five persons, left the vessel, when, after crossing the first roller-wave on the bar, apparently in safety, as the boat did not appear to rise over the second, the chief engineer, who was observing the prOrgess of the boat, ascended the rigging, and immediately called to the master to come and see, as there seemed to him to be something wrong. Immediately the vessel Was put to full speed, and another boat lowered and pulled towards the bar, where was found the life-beat full of water, and some of the party holding on by the sides, and others inside of her. On her returning to the vessel in tow of the second boat, we deeply regret to say that Mr Bobinson, John McCulloch, the first officer (Andrew Fowler), and one seaman (Joseph Cooke), had met with a watery grave ; and the survivors were in so weak a state, that, but for the prompt assistance rendered by the second boat, not one would have been saved. On the Wallaby entering the Buller two hours afterwards, and the distressing circumstances being made known, parties immediately started along the beach to endeavor to discover any of the bodies, and not until the following morning were there any found, when two were perceived on the sands, those of the chief mate and John McCulloch. We summoned a jury, and held an inquest on the bodies the same evening. Coffins were made the huneral Service read, and the bodies decently interred yesterday morning. 3 The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental death. We also beg to state that a messenger on horseback was despatched fifteen miles from the Buller along the beach, with a hope that the other bodies would be found ; and also parties on foot after two tides receding; but we regret to say without success. Instructions were left with the constable at the Buller to send out everv day for the next week, in the hope of finding (he missing bodies, and should they be discovered, to make a report by the first steamer to Nelson.—We have &c., * B. Walmslet, J.P. XI- tt T , J. Blackett, j.P. His Honor John Wallis Earmcoat, Esq., Acting-Superintende it, Nelson.