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Colonist, Volume II, Issue 106, 26 October 1858, Page 2

• Melancholy Accident.—A distressing occurrence has taken place at Awaroa, on the other side of the* Bay, by which we have lost yoiie of our late townsmen, (Mr. Roilisoii), and his sister, by drowning.. It appears by- the depositions of witnesses before »T. F. .-Wi'sion, Esq., Coroner, that the deceased and bis sister left the shore in'a boat with one assistant, in ■»rder that they might catch the steamer. Nelson. It also' appears that Mr. Rollison shared in the doubts of the witness Trelawney as to the safety of the'attempt, ihe. sea running high at the time ; "but Mrs Margaret Dalla.e (his sister) still pressed them to take her, and they at length agreed, anil left the shore about one o'clock on Fiiday afternoon last. Wb<-n they weie close, to the Bar, the spray from the first sea half filled the boat; the tide was run ning-out. very strongly,- and the 'witness advised Mr. Rollison to return, ,l>ut, he replied, "We will get out all right,"- and did not appear excited. Tiie second sea then filled her, she capsized, and all were thrown out,-Trelawney* to some distance. He immediately made towards Mrs. Dallace, caught her by the arm, aud swam oh shore with her. She appeared alive, and was taken to the house, and means were ad -pted to restore animation, but without avail. When he last saw Mr. Rollison he* was in the water, who cried out, " Save my sister if .you can," and it is supposed that he sunk immediately after, as he saw; iip. more of him until two o'clock the next morning, when bis body was found washed up by the sea. This is another of those fearful accidents that deprives' us so "frequently of our friends and 'neighbors. We sincerely hope that such frightful results as these will operate as a warning to prevent such hazardous attempts as this case appears to have been. It will.be in the memory of most that Mr. Rollison, previous to his settling in Awaroa, carried on business in Bridge-street as a blacksmith, and contributed to the amusements of our town by organising the first Amateur Dramatic Society, of which he was for some time manager. So sudden a fate to one so well-known to us has cast a shadow upon all who remember and respected him. We must pay a tribute to the brave fellow who, while in imminent peril himself, could use strenuous exertions to save the life of Mrs. Dallace, and deeply regret that such gallantry proved unsuccessful.' , ...Nelson CoAL.-^We ha.ye.been informed that the adaptability of this coal for steam purposes will almost immediately be fried. Mr. Jenkins is making every exertion to get some from the new seam in time for the White Swan on her next trip, and we confidently expect that it will be found to answer the purpose fully as well as any other previously tried, and more lauded deposits, of Ihe other provinces. Hay Pressing.—-We have noticed the way in which Mr. Schroder has turned out some hay with " Russell's Sydney Press." It was shipped yesterday for tlie Wairau, and deserves remark:'

for the excellent manner it has been pressed by this machine. It does the work well, and from the satisfaction expressed by tbe above gentleman, we are sure of its usefulness, 1- and worthy attention from all interested iv the transit of similar bulky products.