[Abridged from Wellington papers.]

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1684, 14 April 1886, Page 2

[Abridged from Wellington papers.]

A thoroughly reliable gentleman on a visit here from Greymouth and residing with some friends at Petone informs the Post that he on Sunday night dreamt that the Taiaroa was wrecked. He mentioned the fact at breakfast before several people on Monday morning, and stated that he had seen the ve»el lying on her beam ends. - Mr James Smith, of Te Aro House, and Captain Anderson, A.C., had intended leaving by the Taiaroa, but at the last moment changed their minds. A well known commercial traveller tossed up a coin to decide whether he should go or not. Fortunately, fate decided against his departure by the illfated steamer. Two men, who have been m the habit of following ud race meetings, named George Smith and John Harboard, were also passengers. It is said that Smith had to run down the wharf, and that he had only time to get on board. Harboard formerly kept a barbers shop m Auckland. He was 60 years of age, and was well known to the police as a convicted thief. One one occasion, he received a sentence for breaking away from custody whilst m gaol. He wai suspected of having stolen a silver watch at the late race meeting at Island Bay. George McDonough, a yoang man about 22 years of age, and a nephew of Mrs ftylands, of Rylands' hotel, was a fireman on board the Taiaroa. A report was cur - rent that Captain Anderson, of the D«. fence Department was on board, but this turned out to be incorrect. Constable McQnarters and Sergt. Grant belonged to the Torpedo Corps, and were on their way to Dunedin, to bring the torpedo boat to Oainaru, so as to take part m the Easter encampment at that place. Mr Ward was torpedo artificer. He recently arrived from England by one of the direct steamers, under special engagement to the Government. He brought out his eldest son,' aged about 14 years, and left his wife and other children (six) to follow him. He was a man about 40 years of age. Sergt. Grant, A.C., is m the torpedo branch of the force, and has served as an officer m the British Navy. Constable McQuarterg also belonged to the Torpedo Corps. He is a young man, and not long m the force. Mr Galbvaith, the well-known patent agent, was also a passenger for LytUlton, intending to return on Wednesday. Mr Beaver, formerly of Moeller and Co., had his luggage on board, when he received a telegram asking him to await the arrival of a relative, Mr S. Schlank, ot the firm of P. Falk and Co., Adelaide, who was coming up from Christchurch especially to see him. He consequently came ashore again. A number of bookniakers wio intended taking passage changed their minds at the last mo. ment. The Taiaroa, when leaving on Sunday put back three tiinas to take late passenj gers on board. On one occasion, when held by a single warp, the rope broke with a report like a rifle shot, and seriously endangered several onlookers on the wharf. One of the natives now m town informs that a man named Jaa. Ferguson, who had been shepherding ou the Murimotu, was a passenger by the ill-fated Taiaroa. It appears, from what our informant says, that Ferguson had lately "come into " ;£14,000. He had written to his brother m Christchurch, stating that he and a native named Tahana Te Aro would leave Wanrauui at an early date for Christchurch ; but when the time came for going, the native, being interested m some land passing through the Land Court, had to remain m town, and Ferguson went away without him. Yesterday Te Aro received a telegram from the Christchurch brother, stating that he had reason to believe that James Ferguson was on board the Taiaroa. The name, so far, has not appeared m the passenger list, and it may possibly be that tho man had not taken his ticket. — Herald. [This is probably the James Ferguson stated to be a station holder m Taranaki. and whose name appeared m the original list of passengers booked at Welling* ton.] • The spot where the wreck took place is situated about half way between Kaikoura and Cape Campbell on the east coast of the Provincial District of Marlborough. The mouth of the Clarence River, known as Waian-toa or Big River, is immediately south ot Waipapa Point, which is distant about 31 miles from Cape Campbell, and is thus described m the New Zealand Pilot :—" The break m the Kaikoura,Looker-on ranges formed by the valley of this river, has the apnearanee of a harbor from a distant offing — nearly three miles south of Big River i« a boat harbor and fishery." Wai papa Point is described as " low and projecting, '' and the coast thence for 22 | miles north consists of sand and shingle i beaches. The Eaikoura Peninsula is 20 miles south of Waipapa Point. [ The sad fatality will bring to recollection the never-to-be- forgotten Joss of the Tararua some years ago, belonging to the same company, and it is curious to observe the close similarity io the name* of the two steamers— Taiaroa and Tararua; also the names of the localities where they were respectively wrecked—* Waipapa and Waipapapa Pomts. — Press.

Wellington, Tuesday. The Taiaroa will be sold here by auction on Thursday.

Kaikotjba, Tuesday. The underwriters refuße the abandonment of the Taiaroa. It is believed efforts will be made to get her off. There is but little movement of the steamer at high water. The seas washed over the deck but with little force.