DUNEDIN.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3850, 3 May 1881, Page 2

DUNEDIN.

This day,

A serious accident happened* on the Povfc Chalmers line this morning at 9.15. As a tram train from the Port was nearing Vogan's Point, a man was observed walking along the line in the direction of the city. The engine driver whistled loudly, and the brakes were put hard down, but the man walked on, 'seemingly unconscious «f his danger, and before the train could be stopped he was caught up by the cowcatcher and thrown down. He wai3 picked up and conveyed to the hospital, where he was recognised as an outdoor patient named Joseph O'Oonnell, 48 years of age. He came from Balclutha, and was being treated for rheumatism. Hii3 skull was fractured by the cowcatcher, and he died at 2.30 p.m. No more bodies but that of Bailey have been recovered from the wreck of the Tararua. The Star correspondent telegraphs that the reef is not the Waipapa reef, but is said to be four miles to the eastward. The Tararua went on the Otara reef which is uulike the Waipapa only it extends two miles. The wonder is how the Tararua could hare escaped striking on the. Waipapa seeing that she was so far in shore. The wreckage was something shocking. As fast as trunks, etc came on shore they weire rifled. The police, eight or ten in number are now on the ground, and -will prevent it. The Volunteer committee -from Invercargill can do no good, but feel disindined to go back without seeing for themselves ho?? matters stand. On the body of the man Martin were found nineteen sovereigns. The second mate explains that the reason he stood to sea was to be ready to help to land the passengers if the sea got calm, as there was no other boat available. The passengers saved, all agree that there were a number of people on the Tararna who had not booked at the office, but intended to pay on board,, therefore it is impossible to get at the exact number of those on board, but making the lowest calculation there must have been 100 drowned, while some making the number at 125. It is thought there were close on seventy in the steerage. The particmlars of the inquest are to come. The magisterial enquiry into the loss of the Tararua will be held on Thursday.