DROWNED IN THE SURF.

West Coast Times, Issue 284, 21 August 1866, Page 2

DROWNED IN THE SURF.

Another lamentable case of drowning occurred yesterday afternoon, about two hours before high water, at the North Spit, the victim being a fine young man named Patrick Foley, who fqrmedone.qf the crew of the Harbor Master's boat: He niet his death whilst in the performance of his duty, the crew being at the time employed in bending a warp from the William Miskin to one attached to the south fhgstaff, but which was too short to reach the steamer, as it had parted on tbe morning's tide, when an attempt was made to heave that vessel off. The end was afterwards recovered, and again connected with the steamer by> a smaller rope, and a new hawser having been provided in the meantime, three of the Harbor Master's crew, under Captain M'Gill, received the end from the Miskin, ran it to the spit end, succeeded in reeving it through the "bowline" in the old warp 1 ; and were returning with it, when some seas rolled in, and washed all three men off their feet. Foley was nearest the surf, and being unable to recover himself was caught by the back tow, swept into I deep water, and not seen afterwards. His companions narrowly escaped the same fate, and only saved themselves by clinsfing to the line made fast to the Miskin. We cannot too strongly condemn the want of management which placed these men in such a dangerous position ; for, after half flood, the spit is all awash, and liable any moment to be swept by the surf. The boat should have been used at low water, to underrun the warp until the bowline was reached, when the new one could have been securely fastened to it, and then passed to the steamer without fear of accident. Foley was a smart young fellow, aud much esteemed by his mates, who express the deepest sorrow at his untimely fate.

Miss Julia Mathews — one of the most accomplished and popular actresses in burlesque and opera on the colonial stage — commences a brief engagement to-night at the Prince of Wales Opera House. She appears in two characters, in each of which she has obtained great celebrity — that of Josephine in the operatic drama of "The Daughter of the Regiment," and that of Endymion in Brough's mythological burlesque of the same name. The bill is a most attractive one, and Miss Mathews' fame will no doubt draw a very crowded house.

A union prayer meeting is announced to bo held this evening in the Tire Brigade Hall.

The want of a receiving-box for letters having been long folfc by the residents of Revell-street north, Mr Dick, the postmaster, has caused one to be fixed at the shop of Mr Falck, tobacconist, which is situated nearly opposite the tramway. The box will be cleared twice a day, viz.," at 8.30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

It will be scon that the passenger list by the South Australian, from Melbourne for Hokitika, via the Bluff, includes the name of Mr R. Reeves.

The adjourned meeting of the Memorial Committee takes place this evening at seven o'clock, at the Commissioner's office. As it may be expected that some definite course of action with reference to the appropriation of the subscriptions will bo determined on, ou this occasion, wo trust thore will bo a full attendance of members. It is high lime tliat

tlie movement should now culminate in some substantial result.

According to tbe report of Mr Dale, the district gaoler, the following are the gaol returns for the week ending Saturday, August 18 :— Admitted under committal, 2 males ; discharged, debtors, 1. Homainiug, committed men, 2. "tfndergding sentence with hard labor, 27 j imprisonment only, 151 5 debtors, 5. Total : 35 mAles; ! 1 The Stafford Hill rush quite e^uali the <Jx1 formed of it, aa a distinct lead is ' being traced tlii-ough the hill, whioh promises to handsomely pay those who are fortunate enough to '.strike it. The payable ground ii ibout ninety feet wide} but the main run of i gold is not more than twenty. Several of the Claims are exceedingly rich, and promise 'f l , homeward-bound piles" to the fortunate holders, as they prospect from 1 dwt. to 4 dwts. the dish, with afoot and eighteen inches of wash-dirt. There is now no doubt that this lead will be traced northward, and eventually !• qonneoted with that one in work at the New IRiVer rush, for two more hills have been Opened in that directidn, both of which' Have 'yielded good prospects; and it ib rumored that gold wa£ attack hi a third, situated at no great distance from the Three-mile, or Kapitia Creek ; 3 dwts. the dish are spoken of as the Returns from the next hill to " Stafford," and we are assured that it will give employment to a large number of miners.