NELSON. [From the Nelson Examiner, August, 25.]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume V, Issue 429, 12 September 1849, Page 3

NELSON. [From the Nelson Examiner, August, 25.]

We were glad to welcome, yesterday, a visit from the steamer Acheron, now engaged on a coast survey of these islands. The importance of this great work to the colony can scarcely be sufficiently estimated, as the majority of the accidents which have occurred on our coast may be set down to imperfect and defective charts. The Orion, Americau whaler, three weeks ago, ran ashore on the tail of the sand-spit, at the entrance of the bay, when the captain thought he had cleared it, but was fortunately got off again without damage, and in this respect was more fortunate than the Louisa Campbell, which was lost near the same spot. The surveys of the Acheron will do much to prevent such accidents in f jture, and conducted as they at;e under the direction of so distinguished and talented &n officer as Captain Stokes, they will at once receive that confidence to which they will be so well entitled. The jSckeron will remain in our harbour, We are told, about a week. Loss of the " Catherine Ann." — We are sorry to have to record the loss of another of our coasting craft, the cutter Catherine

Ann, Captain Fowler, on her way to Wellington, laden with barley. The accident occurred on Sunday last, in a small bay adjoining Port Gore, where the vessel had run for shelter. The wind was blowing at the time in strong puffs, which caused the vessel to pitch very much, and drove her towards the shore. It was therefore found necessary to slip the cable and stand out, but the wind just then lulled, and the cutter was driven helplessly on the rocks. We understand, if favoured by the weather, Captain Fowler hopes to save the vessel, and get her repaired, and he has been round here to get assistance for the purpose of making the attempt. We hope his efforts will be successful. The schooner Triumph, recently wrecked in the Wairau, was also his property. Shocking Accident. — On Sunday last, a girl named Taylor, abont thirteen years of age, the daughter of an engineer employed on Mr. Martin's saw mill, on the banks of the Wairoa, a little above Mr. Duppa's farm, at Allington, went out in company with a younger brother and an elder companion, and by way of amusement commenced firing the fern, which they incautiously did in several places. At first it appeared not to burn very readily, but in a little time, the wind springing up, it raged with fury, and p!.:ced the lives of the whole party in great danger. The two lads effected their escape, but the girl, by taking a different course, fell a victim. The body was not discovered until the next day, when it presented only a blackened mass, the clothes be? ing all consumed. An inquest was held on the body, and a verdict of " accidental death" returned.