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Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 203, 17 January 1866, Page 6 (Supplement)

Telegraphic communication is now open to Pieton. A melancholy boat accident, involving the loss of three lives, is reported by Caption Simpson, of the schooner Storm Bird, as having occurred at Paterson's Inlet, Stewart's Island, about a fortnight ago. Three persons — a settler named Carter, another named Thomas Wheeler, and a Maori boy, who was known by the name of " Barnacle " — left Price's ship building yard, at the head of the Inlet, in a whaleboat under sail, intending to proceed to a locality some distance down the Inlet, named the Old Neck. The boat was without ballast at the time of starting, but it is understood that the party beached the boat near Mr Bullock's new mill, on their way down the harbor, and there took in some ballast, the wind blowing strongly, and occasionally in violent squalls. The boat was never seen afterwards, but two oars and the hat of Mr. Carter were subsequently found ; and there is every reason to fear that, when caught in one of the squalls, the boat had capsized, and that all her in_iates have been drowned. Both Mr, Carter and Wheeler were married to native or half-caste woman, and the former leaves a family. Another fatal accident is stated to have lately occurred in the same neighbourhood. A medical man whose name is not known, but who is understood to have come from Invercargill, was residing at Patterson's Inlet for the benefit of his health. He was out fishing one day, and, when so engaged, was seen by some persons standing on a detached rock, round which the tide was rapidly flowing. He was warned of his danger, but persisted in remaining ; and it is understood that, when the depth of water had become too great, he had ,en» deavored to reach the shore, and was drowned in the attempt.