PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Kumara Times, Issue 2559, 4 September 1884, Page 2

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

[united press association.]

Westport, September 3. The body of a man was found on the sea beach this morning. It is supposed to be that of Thomas Manay, missing from Fernflat, above Lyell, since the last week in July. The body has floated upwards of sixty miles in the flood at present running in the river. Nelson - , September 3. A sailor belonging to the barque Sea Toller, now lying at the anchorage, with the object of deserting, left the ship on a ladder, which has heen picked up near the lighthouse. The man, whose name is Watson, has not since been seen. Christchurch, September 2. A boy two years old, son of James Garnett, Sydenham, was accidentally drowed in a waterhole to-day. A thunderstorm passed over Christchurch at 5 p.m. TWO WOMEN DROWNED. Woobville, September 3. A terrible fatality occurred here last night, whereby two women were drowned. Rain fell yesterday and all last night in torrents, and as a result the Manawatu river rose with great rapidity. H. M'Kenzie, contractor for the. Manawatu railway and traffic bridge, four miles from here, lived in a house on a raised piece of ground on the bank of the river, and shortly after midnight he found that the house was surrounded by water. A raft was made for the purpose of getting the people away from the house, and shortly after three o'clock the first attempt was made, the raft being occupied by Mr M'Kenzie and her son, Mrs Feasy and her husband, and a man named M'Millan. When crossing, however, it struck a snag and capsized. All the occupants got safely on board again, but the steeling pole was lost, \

and the raft swept into the surging current of the main stream, and again the raft struck a snag and capsized. The three men somehow got ashore, and were picked up pretty well insensible; but the two women were drowned, and there seems little hope of ever recovering the bodies. Mrs M'Kenzie had been living in Dunedin, and only came to Woodville on Monday last. M'Kenzie will be a heavy loser in consequence of the flood, a great quantity of timber having been swept away, and the sinking machinery being submerged.