Wellington

Hawke's Bay Weekly Times, Volume 1, Issue 14, 8 April 1867, Page 82

Wellington

MELANCHOLY xnt> LATAH OCCURRENCE AT-WANGANUI. ■ (From the Wanganui Times, Alarcli 28.) JJews reached town yesterday of one of the most stai’tling and distressing occurrences which we have heard or read of ibi pomp time past. It; appears that on the mqrningofFriclaj Jast, the Midge was on hor wiy ’ to Pate a, pnd “all well.” Between 9 and 10 a.ip., > dispute arose between Captain Duncan pud his mat", who was \ve- are - told, ■ A frenchman. A scuffle ensued and both fell overboard. It was found " impossible -to pave either of them. l • • ■ ■■*• v-'

. FURTIfER PARTICULARS. 1 / .Pepositidn before /..Major Rocke, .Coir- .... .. '■ißaiiding,'Uumj),;Ratea.; i ; V')!!,- j Andrew Jhkafcer, .seaffiahxpnjbpnrdktilxe' jfUtter Midge* states J—At §bout i"Q B.m.

this morning, when, about three-miles { &ff fcbo .Patea bar, the master of the cutter Midge had a falling out with : his mate, Peter Britten ;, thermaster .swearing at .the mato-for" filling his mug too full of. coffee, and on‘the ! inate asking what he had done to make the master so displeased, the ifias ter either struck,or kicked him irithe face; I do hot khow whieffl asT only came'on deck at that moment; but'heard the whole of tho-previous conversation. I lieard the master then sey,“no,rnoreof your check; or I shall give you something else,” to which the mate replied, “ that. is_ the first time I* ever was etruck,' and'!' shall 1 make you pky - for itand' when the .-mate was washing the blood from his face'the master rushed at him; they grappled and in the struggle both fell overboard. Tho whole affair lasted about three minutes. ' I immediately hove all the rope I could lay hands on overboard, and got the boat overboard also, but she immediately filled. I tried to put the cutter about, but could not get her to. stay. I saw the master only once after he fell, overboard; hut the mate I saw swimming for a long time. I then signalled to the Ben Nevis schooner to come up. They were about a mile off, and when she arrived I was told to cut the boat adrift. I brought th e cutter into the Patea by myself, and. reported the whole case to the coxswain of the surf-boat, near the mouth of the. river.

. (Signed), Andrew .Inkster. (Witness), A. J.~A. Jackson, Lieut., 2*lßth R.L

The. Proposed Amalgamation op the Steam Companies.— The shareholders of the New Zealand Steam Navigation Company met at the Atbensmm on Thursday afternoon, to give their votes on the resolution in favor of the amalgamation of that Company with the P.N.Z. As most of our readers are awate, the opponents of the scheme have been exceedingly active since the resolution was carried, in disseminating their views on the matter amongst ihe other shareholders, and in urging them to record their votes against the amalgamation; and the result of the polling shews that these exertions have n6t been in vain; tho resolution being negatived by a majority of nearly three to one in votes, and by a still larger majority, if the respective numbers of the shareholders voting be taken. The number of votes recorded were—For amalgamation, 471; against it, 1314, The number of share holders who voted were—For, 39 ; against, 143. Before the meeting broke, up, tho 18th of April was appointed as the day on which the next half-yearly meeting should be held.—Wellington Independent, 30th March. Serious Accident on Board H.M.S.S. Brisk.— The following is from the Wellington Evening Post, 28th March“ A serious accident occurred on board H.M. s.s. Brisk this morning, resulting in the infliction of dangerous, if not fatal, injuries to the second master of the vessel. It appears that while the crew were employed in some work connected with the ship’s cable, a small wooden tail block used in their operations carried away and struck the unfortunate officer in the forehead, knocking him senceless to the deck. Assistance was at hand and the senseless body of the poor gentleman was borne to his cabin, and on being examined a frightful open wound was discovered on°the head! A boat was sent on shore, aud the Hon. Major Rickardcon on hearing of tinaccident caused arrangements to be made for the conveyance of the sufferer to the Provincial Hospital. At eleven o’clock, everything being in readinest, the patient was brought on shore! and carefully carried to the hospital, where Dr Grace and the Surgeon of the vessel gave him every attention. On making enquiries this afternoon we learnt with pleasure that the unfortunate man showed symptoni3 which led the faculty to hope that he would recover from the effects of his' frightful accident.” The same journal of the following day, contains the following« On enquiry at the Provincial Hospital this morning we learnt that the uui’ortunate officer’of the Brisk whose skull was fracyesterday morning, lias recovered consciousness, and unless inflammation of the wound sets in, no fatal consequences will ensue.”