AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VIII, Issue 658, 22 November 1851, Page 3

AUCKLAND.

Fatal Boat Accident.—Praiseworthy Conduct of a Native.—We regret to state that a fatal accident occurred on Tuesday evening, by the upsetting of a boat, ia consequence of a squall, between the Wathman and Callan’s Bay. Two men were in her, one of them a black man was saved by the intrepid endeavours of an old Maori named Kiri Wera, in tue service of Mr. Gundry, who immediately put out in a dingy, which, however, was so small that when the individual he rescued was brought into it, it was in danger of sinking, and no aid could possibly be afforded to the other in time to save him. The unfortunate man who was lost was the comrade of the black man, but he knew him only by the name of “ Ned.” His body lias not been found. We are informed that Kiri Wera displayed a humane promptitude, in efforts not free from considerable peril to himself, which merits high commendation, and which we should be glad to see recognised in some such manner as that in which the Government have, in recent instances, wisely rewarded similar conduct on the part of other Natives.— New Zealander, October 25. Coroner’s Inquest.—An Inquest was held yesterday afternoon, at Onehunga, before Dr. Davies, Coroner, on the body of Captain David Smale, one the three persons drowned in the Manakau in the 7th instant, by the capsizing of the Government cutter Maori. The evidence was limited to that of the Native who found the body at the Wahu creek, and that of a policeman, who received it from him and identified it. All the parties who were saved on the occasion of the melancholy accident are absent at the Waikato ■ consequent! l ’ the particulars of the disaster could uot be formally ascertained at the inquiry. The Jury returned a verdict of “accidentally drowned on the 7th instant”—On the 20th instant., an inquest was held on the body of Piers Geale, Esq., which was found on the morning of that day, and a similar verdict returned — .Ibid.