THE LATE FATAL BOAT ACCIDENT AT THE THAMES.

Kumara Times, Issue 596, 26 August 1878, Page 2

THE LATE FATAL BOAT ACCIDENT AT THE THAMES.

The New Zealand Herald, of the Bth August, supplies the following particulars of the late fatal boat accident at the Thames:— News was received in town yesterday that fears were entertained that Mr George De Thierry (native interpreter), Mr James Benny, and Mr Jonathan Trupp had been drowned in crossing from Shortland to the Miranda in the fishing yacht Colombo. There seems now to he no doubt that all persons have perished. A telegram from our Thames coi respondent informs us that the Colombo was yesterday morning observed floating on her side, and that it was supposed she had capsized in a squad, and that all three had been drowned. The boat has i>een recovered but none of the bodies. All three men were married, and leave families. Mr George De Thierry was a son. of the Baron De Thierry vvhose name is wellknown in connection with the early-his-tory of the colony. For some ten or twelve years past he has resided at Kerepehi, on the Piako, where he had asto.e. He was ac Shortland lately, and was engaged, by Mr Kissling, solicitor, to go over to the Miranda, in connection with some Land Court business. The weather was squally, and Mr Kissling cautioned him not to go till it moderated somewjiat. He said he would take the first favourable opportunity, and appeai-s to have left Shortland on Monday afternoon, to cross the Firth. The two men who were with him were the owners of the boat.

From the same journal, of the 12th inst., we learn that

Mr Richard Thierry returned from the Thames on Saturday night, whither he had been to obtain particulars respecting the melancholy death of his brother, Mr George de Thierry. The Thames people, according to their kindly custom upon such occasions, have shewn the greatest sympathy with the families who have been deprived of their bread-winners by this melancholy accident. Captain Fraser, R.M., and Mr J. Mackay have originated a subscription, which has been largely contiibuted to by the Natives, on account of Mr De Thierry, who had lived among them more than twenty years. It may lie mentioned as a singular fact, that on the boatmen going for Mr De Thierry, his wife (a Maori) said, Don’t go to-night, for I have had a dream that something happened to you.” It was then quite a calm night, and he laughed at the idea, but when he was going out at the door, he said, “If anything does happen to me, Mr Guilding will get my watch for you ; it is at the watchmaker’s anil a new threshing machine is at ’s store.” The Natives have several boats out searching, and the Naval Brigade have also gone out, but as yet none of the bodies have been found. Mr De. Thierry came to the colony in 1537, and for a considerable time be has been in the employment of the Government.