FATAL BOAT ACCIDENT.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 427, 26 November 1861, Page 3

FATAL BOAT ACCIDENT.

On Monday, November 5, a melancholy accident occuvred on the river, which was near terminating in the death of five persons, four of whom, however, were most providen iiily rescued and recovered. The following are the particulars. About four o'clock in the afternoon a boat came up from the Port heavily laden with flour, sugar, &c, in charge of a man named Garey. There were also on bo id Mr. Bean and a Mr. Rodgers, At the residence of Mr. Janies Macandrew the boat stopped to take that gentleman on bonrd, and then proceeded on her course up the river. But on rounding a point about a mile and a-half from the Jetty, she was caught by a sudden squall, and capsized, and all on board were plunged into the river. The boat of the Wild Wave came to the rescue of the drowning men, and succeeded in recovering the whole with the exception of the man Garey. Mr. Macandrew was landed on the pier, and conveyed to the Provincial Hotel, aud for some hours lay in a very precarious state. Dr. Nelson was called in, and after a lengthened and anxious period, consciousness was restored. Every effort has been made to recover the body of Garey, but without success.

( From the Daily Times.)

The Military.—Seeing the large quantify of treasure accumulating in Dunedin, and knowing that the army of soldiers in Auckland had nothing to do, a request was made to the General Government to send a handful of troops down here. The request wa3 complied with, but the intimation was made that the Provincial Government must defray the expense of the extra pay soldiers arriving in the colonies receive. In Auckland this was paid out ot the funds of the General Government, but here it is to come out of the exchequer of the Provincial Government. Remarks are unnecessary to characterise the galling injustice of the distinction thus made. Surely the Middle Island has paid dearly enough for the soldiers, and if the troops were only sent down to show the inhabitants what it is they have been paying for, exception could scarcely be taken. There is no pretence that the soldiers are required in Auckland any longer, and as red-coats are supposed to be attractive objects, especially to the fairer portion of the community, the Middle Island might claim some amusement, as it has derived no other advantage for the money it has been mulcted of. The Council displayed very proper spirit in referring the matter back to the General Government, and entering a strong protest against the injustice sought to be inflicted. We presume the General Government will concede the "point. In vulgar parlance it has thought * there's no harm in trying it on.' But the fact remains that the attempt was made, even although it has defeated itself by its own injustice.