CHARLESTON.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 563, 5 October 1869, Page 2

CHARLESTON.

TOTAL WRECK OF THE CUTTER HARRY BLUFF. TWO LIVES LOST. (from our own correspondent.) Oct. 1. The half-yearly meeting of the Hospital Committee was held last evening at the Melbourne Hotel. The minutes of the previous meeting were read as the first proceeding. Mr Alexander objected to that part of the minute which related to Dr Bruen's appointment as Surgeon to the Hospital, at a salary of £250, instead of ,£2OO as formerly, being confirmed. A. proposition was then made that the amendment be confirmed,and, beingputto the meeting, was declared to be carried. The report of the Committee for the halfyear was then read and received, and ordered to be printed. A good deal of discussion ensued about Dr Bruen losing the appointment of surgeon to the Camp, and Brighton Hospital and Camp, the same having been given to Dr Henry, and it caused some disagreement among the members. Mr Broad has resigued his appointment as Chairman to the Committee, I understand, in consequence of some members of the Committee thinking the Government took too much to themselves in the appointment of officers to the institution. The halfyearly report showed an increase of patients, and consequently an additional expense, although the population has considerably diminished. The average number of patients is seven per diem. The offer of Mr Humphries, for the gratuitous supply of coal for the ensuing half-year, was accepted.

A " treat" was given on Wednesday afternoon to the children who attend the Sunday school in the Methodist Tree Church. The young people, who mustered nearly a hundred strong, were regaled to their hearts' content, and entertained with readings and recitations suitable to their age by several gentleman who have always felt an interest in their welfare. This afternoon two well-known and ill-famed characters named Gretta O'Eegan, alias the " Champagne Eipper," and Mary Ann Hayes, were brought before Mr Broad, charged with having, on Thursday night, stolen from Richard Eochford the sum of £ 160. Eochford stated that on Thursday evening he met Mary Ann Hayes and accompanied her to a house not far from St Mark's church. She gave him two drinks, and soon after he became insensible. When he woke up the money was gone. The prisoners were remanded till Monday. Oct. 3.

Yesterday afternoon the cutter Harry Bluff, in attempting to get out of Constant Bay, got bilged on the rocks forming the south entrance to the bay, and soon afterwards sank. The crew of three men endeavored to save their lives by swimming ashore, and were successful in doing so except in one instance. A man known as Harry Hill (who formerly was employed in the steamer Lady Barkly whilst she was under the Commissariat during the war of 1863-4-), after struggling for some time, sank and was seen no more. The master got ashore without being much hurt, but the other man, named George Bingham, was much exhausted and bruised. On being conveyed ,to the Hospital he complained of severe pains in the abdomen, and was considered in imminent danger during the night, but I am happy to say, from inquiries this morning, that he is much easier, though by no means out of danger. The vessel broke into matchwood immediately after getting foul of the rocks, and the shore of Constant Bay is strewed with wreck. As an inquiry as to the cause of the wreck will be held, I refrain at present from sending any precise particulars of the circumstances under which it occurred.

Oct. 4. The man George Bingham, who was picked up from the wreck of the Harry Bluff, died in the Hospital this morning. A Coroner's inquest was held this morning at the Marine and Wellington Hotel on the body of Harry Hill, who lost his life by the wreck of the Harry Bluff. His body was picked up about 6 a.m. yesterday, and conveyed to the Golden Age Hotel. A number of persons gave evidence as to the occurrence. The jury returned a verdict of " Accidentally drowned."