TELEGRAPHIC.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3752, 12 March 1891, Page 3

TELEGRAPHIC.

(Per Press Association),

Collision OS Nelson Harbour.

•"' Loss of Life.

Nelson, March 11. A fatal accident occurred at the entrance of the harbour to-night. Since the afternoon heavy fog had come up near tbe bay, making navigation somewhat difficult, but it was not thick enough to prevent the lights being seen at some little distance. About 8 o'clock the Anchor Line steamer Charles Edwards left for Wanganui, and was just in the entrance, between the Filshire Bock and the Boulder Bank, when a small cutter belouging to Mr Harley, laden with 12 tons of ooal from Motupipi, was entering, coming with the tide using sweeps. -She had three men on board, viz., Cockie Westrupp (master) and two men named Frank Bailey and Tom Nailder. When the steamer was a chain and a half distance they all sang out, and haard the order given immediately to back her hard full speed astern. The steamer came on, however, striking the cutter on the quarter. Bailey and Nailder managed to scramble on board her, bat Westrupp, they believe, jumped overboard though he could not swim. His cries were heard for some minutes after, and a boat was lowered, but owing to the thickness of the fog he could not be seen, and is given up as drowned. Both vessels had all their lights burning. Immediately behind the cutter the s.s. Grafton was coming in with the tide under the command of the pilot, but when the accident occurred she went astern and went „. outside again and is still out.

Mr- tfcCtaixo Biiavietted. * Stratford, March 11. A banquet was given here last night to the member for Egmont, Mr. Felix McGuire. The chair was taken by Mr. B. G. A lis worth, and the vicechairs by Messrs. Barton and JTinnerty. The Premier and Mes3fs. McGuire, Hutchison, and W. C. Smith, M. H. E.'s, were present, also the chairman of the Tpwn Board and Board, the members of th* -county Council and otlier local bodies. Hawera, Inglewood, Midhirst and the other settlements round the coast were all represented, the gathering being the most influential and representative ever held in the Egmont electorate. Kepre sentatives from four newspapers were also present. Mr McGuire made a good speech in replying to the toast "The Member for Egmont," The Premier, who spoke for the first time at btratford, was enthusiastically received, and made a ; great speech in replying to the toast " The Liberal Party." Messrs Hutchison and Smith were also well received. They replied to the toast " The Parliament of New Zealand." The banquet was held in the Town Hall, {which was crowded with guests, a number being unable to find seats.