The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, FEBRUABY 23, 1879.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 51, 28 February 1879, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, FEBRUABY 23, 1879.

A fatal accident occurred on board the steamer Patea on the passage between Wellington and Potea, by which Mr Chant, the chief officer, who was a son of Mr Chant, of Motucka, was drowned. The deceased leaves a wife and three children. The following report of the sad occurrence was given by Captain Gibbons to the Collector of Customs this morning:— l left Wellington last Monday, and experienced strong westerly winds. At 230 a.m. on Tuesday, when about twenty miles from Kapiti, the vessel being under ali sail and steam, George Chant, chief officer, was seen to fall overboard from the quarterdeck on the starboard side. The chief engineer cried out that the mate was overboard, and ran below and stopped the engines. I threw the life buoy to the mate, who was then about twenty feet astern of the steamer, which was then going astern. He made no endeavor to catoh the life buoy, and I think he must have been struck by the propeller and stunned. I kept the vessel dodging about for some time, and with others called out, but received uo answer. There was no chance of lowering a boat, as there wa3 a very heavy sea running. We saw the life-buoy, but there was no appearance of the mate. Finding 1 could do nothing further I proceeded on to Fatea. In consequence of the receipt of a number of advertisements at a late hour yesterday the report of the Kail way deputation to Wellington was crowded out. It will, however, be found in this issue. The report gives fuller details as to the actions of the deputation, and the promises made by Mr Macandrew on behalf of the Government. We have not yet heard of the. arrival of the Surveyor, " who should be on the ground by now," but he may possibly arrive in the Wellington to-morrow morning. A numiier of representatives for the Rifle Association meeting arrived by the Taiaroa this morning, and on landing they were received by the officers of the Nelson Volunteers who were in uniform and by the members of the Reception Committee, and were driven to town in coaches drawn by four horses. There are a number of representatives here already and by the Wellington to-morrow morning the southern men will arrive. A Church parade will take piece on Sunday morning, and the firing will commence on Monday next. The return match between the Naval Brigade and Wellington City Rifles will be fired at the Maitai Butts to morrow afternoon, six men on each side. The second competition for the medal presented to the City Rifles by Mr M'Gee look place at the Maitai butts this morning, when Pvt Crosanian made 42 out of a possible 60, Pvt Waddcll 40, Sergt. Gray 37, Pvt Sharland 34, Pvt Saundcrs 32, and Lieut. Adams 31. Thb Reception Committee in connection with the N/. Rifle Association meeting, will meet this evening at eight o'clock at the Masonic Hotel. The Normanby Hussars will parade for inspection to-morrow afternoon, at half-past three o'clock, at Silcock's paddock, Brightwater, 6

We beg to call the attention of our readers to the fact that Lawrence will have Ice Cream tomorrow all day. — Advt. We notice that Messrs Sharp and Pickering will sell at tkoir rooms to morrow (Saturday) at noon, by instructions from the mortgagee, the house and land in Brook Street Valley, lately occupied by Mr W. Lockyer. For particulars refer to iheir advertisement.