INTERPROVINCIAL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 8, 9 January 1878, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL.

[press agency,] ' "Wellington, Tue3dav. Last evening the engine-house of the Patent Slip was nearly demolished by a singular accident. The Stella, which had been on the slip for repairs, was being lowered into the water; when half-way down, a tremendous crash was heard, and large pieces of the galvanised roof, followed by clouds of steam and smoke, were seen high in the air. The engineer's account is that he was standing between the two engines, and was about shutting off steam, when, without any warning, the immense fly-wheel, seventeen feet in diameter and five tons weight, which was revolving with great rapidity, suddenly burst into fragments. Some of the pieces, half a ton in weight, were driven between two and three hundred yards from the building, going through the roof, and smashing the brick wall. Nothiug was left of the wheel but the centre and the stumps of the arms. The inside of the engine-house is a complete .wreck. The escape of the engineer is considered miraculous; beyond being knocked down and sustaining a few cut's and bruises, he was uninjured. • Blott, Wednesday. The Arawata arrived with the Suez mail at daylight this morning.: She brings 55 saloon and 53 steerage passengers, 4 boxes gold (value £20,000), and 450 tons of cargo for all 'ports. Had strong southerly winds with heavy sea and squally weather. She sailed ::f or Dunedin at 9 a.m. after discharging cargo.. Passengers for Nelson-^-Mr and Mrs Irviug, Mr and Mrs r Oldham, Misses Ren wick arid Guinness, ;Mrs Swan, Messrs Guinness, Sydney and Smith, and 3 in the steerage; also 30 tons cargo.