DISTRESSING FATAL ACCIDENTS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1156, 25 March 1884, Page 3

DISTRESSING FATAL ACCIDENTS.

A distressing occurrence happened in Napier on Saturday night. Mias Gardner, stewardess of the s.s. Warerley, with two young men named Wm. Mitchison and Thos. Lawrence, were proceeding to the vessel after witnessing Blondin’s performance i the night being excessively dark, and as the three were walking along the wharf Lawrence, who was on the outside, walked off the wharf, and caught hold of Miss Gardner to save himself. She, in turn, caught hold of Mitchelson, and the three then fell in. Mitchison endeavored to lave Miss Gardner, but was unable to do so. Mitchison managed to get out, very much exhausted, and gave the alarm. A party at once proceeded to the spot and commenced dragging, After about half an hour’s work the body of Lawrence was recovered close to where he fell in. Miss Gardner was found next morning, about a quarter of a mile down the river. While the work o' ’ragging was going on, a man Quinn met with a nearly fatal accident. In the darkness he fell off the wharf, striking the woodwork, and was with great difficulty rescued. An inquest was held yesterday and a verdict of accidentally drowned returned.

At 11.30 a.m. yesterday, two fishermen named Britain and Scotmare, were drowned at Wanganui. They had crossed the bar outwards at 7.30, and noticing a squal, coming, made for the river. The boat capsized before the pilot boat could render assistance. Britain was married, and his wife was in Auckland with three children. Scotmare is a single roan, aged 62-