A PASSENGER LOST FROM THE S.S. TUI, FROM KAIKOURA TO WELLINGTON.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume II, Issue 163, 12 October 1880, Page 3

A PASSENGER LOST FROM THE S.S. TUI, FROM KAIKOURA TO WELLINGTON.

Upon the arrival of the s.s. Tni this morning at 10 o’clock, from Lyttelton and Kaikoura, the captain reported that a man named Richaad Withington had been lost overboard. It appears that the Tni left Kaikoura at about 0 o’clock yesterday after noon. At about 10 o’clock the purser heard a splash. There were two degs on board and the purser at first thought it was one of these. However, lie sung out to the mate the steamer was eased, and search was made below to see if any of the passengers were missing. It was then discovered that Mr Withington was not on board. The engines were at once stopped, and a boat lowered, but although the search was continued for about three hours, no trace was .dicovered of the missing min. The captain having done everything possible under the circumstances, was then obliged to resume his course. Mr Withington was the owner of the store which was burned down a few daysago at Kaikoura, from which place he was a passenger to Wellington. It was. noticed that be seemed something eccentric in his manner at tea-time, and lie had been seen on deck by the mate a little while previous to the splash being heard. In fact, by a curious association of ideas, the mate no sooner heard the cry of the purser, than he rushed to the cabin and exclaimed, V here's Withington? and it was soon discovered that the latter was missing. W e regret to hear that Mr Withington leaves a wjfe and large family, who are residing in Wellington. Mr Withington was well-kown in Wellington, having been some G years in this city. He was overseer of the brickmaking operations which were carried on at the site of the new hospital, and was always know as a steady industrious man. He afterwards joined the police force at Kaikoura, but, after a brief connection with it, retired, and finally started a store in that township.— Pod, Oct. 7. [Mr Withington was some time ago stationed in Blenheim, as a member of the police force, from whence he was removed to Kaikoura.] Ed. M.T.