WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1866.

Southland Times, Issue 610, 26 December 1866, Page 2

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1866.

We have to record a fatal accident that took place on the 11th December, at the " Tutura" Ford, Mataura. It appears that a man named Thomas Pascoe, a stockrider, in the employ of Messrs XI anlove and Calcut, had occasion to cross the Mataura on Tuesday, t c 11th inst. He tras cautioned that the Tutura fo was not safe but he determined to try it. Mr Coyle, who had crossed with some difficulty a short time previous, saw that Pascoe had mistaken the direction and shouted to him to alter Ms course, but it was too late ; he was either out of hearing or to confused to adopt the suggestion, and kept on his course until out of his depth, when he threw himself off the horse no doubt with the intention of swiming on shore. Mr Coyle made all haste down to the banks of river, but no assistance could be given he was seen to rise once, and was seen no more. The deceased we understand was a young mivn of known steady habits and much respected by his employers and those that knew him. It is worthy of remark that upon it becoming known that the accdent had taken place, prompt efforts were made to recover the body, but although the labors of the volunteer searches and Sergeant O'Keefe was energetically prosecuted, the body has not yet been recovered. The search is still going on. A meeting of gentlemen inlerested in the formation of a Southland Shipping Company took place on Friday, the 21st inst., at Mr PueteHkow*s Hotel. There was present about twenty gentlemen, representing large interests. Mr John Ross was elected to the chair. The desirability of Invercargfll possessing coasting vessels, steamers especially, was carefully debated, and the general feeling was evidently in favor of the formation of a Company. After the question had been thorougherly ventilated, Mr M'Pherson moved, and Mr J.|Munro seconded, the following resolution : — " That it is desirable that a Company should be formed for the purpose of procuring a vessel or vessels, the said Association to bo entitled the Southland Shipping and Steam Navigation Company, (limited). Carried. Mr Blackwood moved, and Mr Marten seconded, " That a Provisional Committee be appointed to draw up a constitution for the Company and a prospectus, to consist of the following gentlemen, viz : — Messrs B. Hamilton, J. Morton, W. Cochrane, John Boss, J. Harvey, Jabez Hay, A. Puettelkow, W. H. Calder, John Munro, T. Austin, and — Instone with power to add to their number." J. Harvey, Esq., consented to act as Secretary, pro tern. The subject was taken up in earnest, and we bespeak for the project a success. "We shall anxiously look for the report of the committee, which, from the known energy of the promoters, may be expected to be furnished with the least possible delay. A correspondent at Orepoki, under date the 10th December, writes . — " There are about one hundred and seventy miners at work on the Orepuki and Pahi diggings. _ Several parties in tbd bulb doing well, &s also other* on the be&elu i

All the miners are doing something, making wages from three to twelve pounds per week per man. when they get a. full week's work A party of four miners are at Colac's Bay, bringing in a head race of water to work a claim on the beach. The weekly yield of gold is about two hundred and thirty ounces."