Narrow Escape of the Native Minister and Mrs Ballance.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1690, 21 April 1886, Page 2

Narrow Escape of the Native Minister and Mrs Ballance.

CLEVER HANDLING OF THE HINEMOA BY CAPTAIN FAIRCHILD.

We clip from the Poverty Bay Ilerald the following interesting itsin : — j" i)ar r ing the embarkation of Mr Ballance and party from the Avyanui, East Cape, considerable anxiety was felt for the safety of the Hinemoa- and Ministerial party, and serious results were only avoided by the admirable seamanship of Capt. Fairchild, whose nerve and coolness* does not seem to diminish in the least with, increasing years. A stiff breeze and heavy sea had set in from the south-east during the night, causing the steamer t» keep a wide offing. On the arrival' of the Ministerial party from Wai-o-mataini the signal was given when Fairchild with alow tide and heavy breaking sea brought the Hinemoa into almost touching distance of the rocks, and when hear the entrance between the two reefs, dropped anchor to go in stern first, not having room to slew insi.le the reefs. Just at this critical moment several heavy seas broke, causing the anchor to jump, and threatening to cast the steamer broadside upon the rocks, the rolling being tremendous. Fairchild, as usual, cool, by the aid of steam and chain managed to swing head to sea well within the reef. Mr and Mrs Ballance and Mr Lewis, Under-Seeretary, then went off in a whale-boat, narrowly escaping being swamped by the heavy seas. On getting alongside Mrs Ballance attempted to ascend the gangway item, but slipped from the grasp of those holding her, falling back heavily into the boat, the next roll of the vessel causing the steps' to strike her on the chest, which caused her to faint for a few seconds. The accident might have proved fatal had it not been for the ready aid of Mr Lewis, who himself was knocked down. The party after some further difficulty managed to"" get on board, when the Hinemoa steamed safely away between the rocks and broken water, greatly to the relief of the spectators on shore, who all agreed that none but Fairchild could have done it.