THE LATE FATAL COLLISION NEAR PORT CHALMERS.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 2, 14 July 1863, Page 3

THE LATE FATAL COLLISION NEAR PORT CHALMERS.

Thk Inquest. The inquest on the bodies of the unfortunate persons who perished l>y the late collision between the Favorite, and the Pride of the Yarra.was comneneed on the Bih mat., in the long room of the Provincial Hotel, Dunedin, by the Coroner and the following jury: — Messrs John Cargill (foreman), It B Martin, Tickle, A i\t'Lnndress, John Bourke, John Switzer, James Smith, F J Moss, Oliver, A L Thompson, Alexander Cummins, Driver, and L H Gilles The proceedings were not terminated when the William Miskin sailed. The jury thought that a post mortem, examination was not necessary, and on their return from viewing the bodies, the Coroner expressed an opinion that it would be better at the first sitting not to proceed beyond the identification of the boJies. This suggestion was accordingly acted on, and the inquest adjourned till noon on the 9th. Our space forbids more than a short notice of the proceedings which are necessarily of a very voluminous character. Mr Uranigan conducts the examinations in chief. Mr Pendergast and Mr James Smith being present to watch the case on behalf of the Captain and owners of the Pride of the Yarra and the Favorite rebpectively, and on application to the Coroner, (which that gentleman referred to the jurors) were permitted to lie heard and examine witnesses. Up to tho evening of the 10th there had been move than 20 witnesses examined, nnd a vast q nantity of evidence, in some respects'contr.idictoiy, been taken. One thing appears pretty certain — the lights carried by the steamers were not strictly in nccoi dance with the Port Regulations and should the inquest terminafe without a committal for manslaughter, the Dunedin ship-masters will for the future be more sharply looked after. THE PUBLIC TUNER VL. The last sad page iv that moat mournful history which has, fo" so many days past, occupied so large a share in men's thoughts and conversation throughout this community, was unfolded yesterday, when (he grave closed over the remains of the ill-fate<l individuals whose untimely enrl has created so deep and genuine a feeling of regret and sympathy amongst all classes of society. Words would fail us to enunciate our surprise and gratification at tho extent and spontaneity of the demonstration made by our citizens on this ocen- \ sion. The whole population of the city acerncd determined, with oue heart, to manifest tho sincerity with which they deplore a calamity which is, happily, without precedent in our local history. The morning broke heavily, and promised rain, but those gloomy forebodings were destined to be disappointed, for about ten o'clock the sun came out gloriously, and this added in no slight degree to the comfort of those who were necessarily exposed by the sad ceremonial of the day to the varying influences of the skies. Early in (he morning the facade of the Provincial Hotel, where the bodies then rested, was tastefully draped with festoons of black and white, whilst a largo Union Jack floated, half-mast high, from the clock tower facing Manse and Princess-streets, and the various flags which were displayed throughout the city exhibited the some indication of mourning. Puring the earlier part of tho day a considerable) number of persons wero permitted to view theremnins, and about half- past twelve the coffins were closed preparatory to their interment. A strong body of I mounted police took up their position in Staffordstreet in front of the Hotel, in order to preserve order, and keep the ground. It was not until nearly two o'clock that the cofilns were placed in the hearses in waiting to receive them. In the first were deposited the seven coffins containing the remains of the Rev T. H. Campbell, Mrs Campbell, and their five children ; in the second, those of their two servants, Fanny Finch and Mary Rol 3rts; in tho third, those of Mr Somerville and Mr Hammond; whilst the body of Mrs Anderson occupied the last. The mournful cortege then set out, followed hy the .Resident Magistrate, Mr Strode, and R. B. Martin, Wardens of St. Paul's Church, and by Dr Hocken, the Coroner, and the chief mourners, those for Mr. Campbell and his family being — Mr. Hislop, Secretary to the Educational Department, Messrs. Abram and Brent, Masters of the High School, Captain Stevens, of the Matoaka, Dr. Alexander, surgeon of the Matoakaj and Mr. Shipton, an intimate friend and a fellow-passenger of the family; the father, uncle, and cousin of Fanny Finch; the husband and brother-in-law of Mrs. Anderson ; Mr. Somerville, junior; Captain Thompson, Harbour-master ; some friends of Mr. Hammond and of the other deceased. In this order it proceeded through Princes-street, where every shop, without exception, was closed, and which was thronged with spectators, whe, one nnd oil, observed the most feeling and respectful deportment as it passed up the Octagon to St. Paul's Church. There it arrived about three o'clock — long previous to this hour, the Church — the altar of which, together with tho lectern, columns, &c., had been festooned with black and white draperyhad been densely crowded with a most reaped able congregation, oomprising His Honor t : ie Supcrir - tendent, tho Provincial Secretary and Treasr er, and tho Hon. Mr. Patorcon, who occupied soats near the altar, Mr. Justice Richmond, the Collector of Customs, anrl, in fact, every Government official both principal and subordinate, with a large number of; ;)adic6. AH these persona were dressed in the -deepest 1 mourning, and all soemed impressed with the solemnity of ' the scene. On the arrival

of (ho funeral cortege, the Incumbent, the Rev. G. E. Edwards, advanced to moot the bodies at the entrance, and p recced in? the first coffin, that of the Eev. T. H. Campbell, read, with a clear, sonorous voice, the introductory sentences of tho Burial Service, " I am the Resurrection and the Life," &c. At their conclusion, the organist commenced playing the " Dead March in Saul," and in the meantime the coffin had been deposited on tressels immediately in front of the altar. It was followed, after a painful interval, by that of Mrs. Campbell, immediately behind which was carried the littlecoffin of her b^by, aged five weeks. This sad spectacle seemed almost too great a trial for the feelings of rrianj' present, and some quitted the Church, — while all gave evidence of the painfully excited state of their feelings. In slow succession came tho rest of the Campbell family, and the other deceased, each coffin in succession being followed by the Churchwardens. All the coffins were ranged on tressels covered with white draperynear that of Mr. Campbell. The 90th Psalm— D<_ ,iinie refvgiwm, — " Lord, thou hast been our r.. age" — was then chaunted by the choir, to Purcell's Funeral Chant, alter which the Incumbent read the sublime lesson, taken from 1 Corinth., XV. Tho Choir then sang the following hymn, taken from a collection styled " Hymns, Ancient and Modern," in the editing of which some of the late Mr. Campbell's most intimate friends were engaged, and that gentleman had brought out with him a large number of copies of the work with the intention of introducing 1 it here. The melody to which it is arranged, partakes of tho stern Gregorian character, and was well adapted to the occasion. Christ will gather in His own To the place where He is gone, Where their henrt and treasure lie, "VYhcre our life is hid on high. Day by day the voice saith, " Come Enter thine Eternal home;" Asking not if wo can spare Those dear souls it summons there. Had He asked us, well we know Wp should cry, Oh, spare this blow ! Yes, n ith streaming tears should pray, " Lord we love them, let them stay." But the Lord does nought amiss, And since lie hath ordered this, Wo have nought to do but still Host in silence on His will. Many a heart no longer hero Ah ! was all too i.ily dear; Yet, O love, 'tis Thou dost call, Thou wilt be our All in all. The coffins were then removed from the church to tho hearses, tbo congregation remaining in their places, and the ortranist meanwhile performing the "Dead March in Samson." It had been intended that a progrnmme, which appeared in our columns on Wednesday morning, should have been strictly adhered to ; but this, unfortunately, was found impossible, many of those who should have fnken their places in the front of the procession being unable to leave the church in time. The two Churchwardens, Dr [loekenand Mr Commissioner Branigan, followed on foot, immediately after the four hearsos/j'such ceeded by the chief mourners. Then came tho masters of the Government schools around and near Duuedin, with the elder boys attending the Middle and North Dunedin District Scbools, and Mr Shaw's Government School, attended by their respective masters. After 'icse came an assemblage of perse .s on foot, consisting of employees of the General and Provincial Governments, members of the legal and medical professions, and of the press, merchants, &c, &c, all habited in the deepest mouvninff. Then followed an almost endless line of vehicles, conveying Itis Honor the Superintendent and the members of the Executive and many other leading members of society. The procession could not have numbered less than fifteen hundred persons, and extended nearly a mile and a half in length, from four to ten or more persons walking abreast. The stive's through which it passed were lined with spectators, and many a fair face bedewed with tears, looked clown from the houses on cither side upon the mournful spectacle beneath. On reaching that portion of the cemetery set apart fur the burial of the members of tho Anglican communion, the coffins were taken out of the hearses and carried up to the places selected for their interment, around which the immense mukiludc eager] v gathered with heads uncovered. The Kov.'G. S. Edwards then commenced reading Ihe portion of the burial service appointed to be real tt the grave, commencing with the nulipro >, ''Man that is born of a woman h:ith but :\ short time to live, and is full of misery," &c. Immediately afterwards tbo bodies were committed to tho grave, the wardens <if St. Paul's Church throwing earth upon each of the collins in their respective resting places, at the words " Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. " Tho heavy grating sound caused by the fall of the earth upon so many coffins, caused a visible sensation amongst the assembled concourse; who joined audibly in tho responses, and upon whose countenances grief and regret were plainly perceptible. After a few brief prayers, the Benediction wns pronounced and with difficulty, by the officiating Priest, who was evidently suffering internally under the painful task which devolved upon him, and the multitude having prPfsed Forward, to take a last lingering look at all that remained of those whoso untimely fn to they so heartily deplored, dispersed sadly and slowly to their respective homes. The spot chosen for the interment is nearly in fie centre of the Cemetery, nnd a large brick vault had boon constructed to receive the bodies of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, and their family ; the father and mother being placed in the middle, with their youngest child, a baby of 5 weeks old, lying at their heads, and the other four children, two on each side. Immediately at the head of the vault arc three graves, now tonnnted hy Mr. Campbell's two servants, Fanny Finch and Mary Roberts, and Mrs. Anderson, and ] two other larger graves, containing the bodies of 1 Mr. Somerville and Mr. Hammond, at tho side. The coffins of the adults were all covered with ' black cloth with black ornaments, those of the children having silver mountings. The follow ing inscriptions were placed upon the respective coffins, the same date being added to each : — Thomas Hewett Campbell, Died 4th July, 1803, Aged 35 years. Julia M. Campbell, Aged 28 years. Edward Camphell, Aged 5 years. Ddncan Campbell, Aged 4 years. Lilian Campbell, Aged 4 years. MotvTel Campbell, Aged 3 years. Alfred Camtbell, Aged 5 weeks Elizabeth Andkrson, Aged 28 years. Fanny Fincit, Aged 17 years. Mart Rob exits, Aged 23 years. Charles Sommervillk, Aged 40 years. William Basil Hammond, About 40 years. The whole of the arrangements of tho Funeral were under the superintendence of Messrs, Spicer and Murray, undertakers, of this city, and the manner in which they were carried out reflected the highest credit on that firm. In concluding our notice of this melancholy occasion, we would desire once more to express our sincere ra 'fication that so warm and spontaneous a response was given to the invitation of the Government to do honour to tho cemory of our departed fri< nds. We saw amongst the vnst assemblrge men of all creed, politics, and stations, and it augurs favourably for tho future of our community, that those who showed themselves so united in the honors of joy and festivity, shou'd prove themselves no less unanimous wbon called upon to fulfil a duty as painfnl as tho former was grateful to their feelings. This is the best and most substantial consolation that, socially speaking, we can draw from thoso melancholy events of the past week, of which tho ceremony of yesterday was not tho least heartrending.

The PjgtekhoFf. — The English steamer Peterhoff, a prize to the Vanderbilt, has ai rived at this port. She was sent to Key West for adjudication, and thence here, us her cargo would bring more at this port when sold than at Key West. She is an iron steamer, of about 1000 tons burden, brig rigged, and of a modern build. From the time of her loading in London Admiral Wilkes has had his eye on her, and irom all we can learn was pretty well assured that he would capture in her a lawful prize. It appears that the would-be blockade runner was not caught in the act of attempting to run it, nor was she even on the ground near a blockading fleet ; but it was known that she had a rebel mail on board intended for Richmond, and that at one time a rebel colonel was on board as a passenger, but just previous to her quitting her last port the bearer of despatches left, but allowed the mail and despatch bag to remain on board, with instructions to forwaid it to its destination. Among her passengers were several chemists with a fall stock of medicines and drugs; but these very much-valued articles are said to be marked for Matainoras. Upon the whole the case is a very complicated one, and many suppose the vessel will be cleared. But yet it must be that Admiral Wilkes j has good grounds for sending her in as a prize, or he would not have seized her. For the present communication with the vessel is interdicted, and but little can be found out in relation to the case. — New Yo*k Herald. The Balaklava Charge. — The Earl of Cardigan has re-opened the -whole question of his conduct at tho battle of Balaklava. In the Court of Queen's Bench, a motion was made in his behalf for a rule for a criminal information against Lieutenant-Colonel Calthorpe for libel. The libel was contained in j certain statements in a book written by Colo- ! ncl Calthorpe, entitled " Letters from Headquarters," in which reflections were made on the behaviour of Lord Cardigan in the famous cavalry charge. In the course of the application numerous affidavits were read, and finally the court granted a rule to his lordship. — Home News. Mr. \i. 11. Home, the poe+, who has for some years resided in Australia, has written a poeas on tho heroic deeds and tragic end of Burke and Wills, the Australian explorers. The recent chess display at Lyons, in whi(-h M. Mozuski played ten games blindfold, has resulted in his winning seven und losing one ; two games were drawn. The Princess Murat has been delivered of a daughter, at Paris.

i