CAPTAIN KEEBLE.

News was received in Lyttelton on Saturday of the death at Wanganui of Captain Samuel Keeble, one of the oldest masters in New Zealand, and who was well known in Lyttelton. The late Captain Keeble went to sea at an early age, and after coming out to the colonies was for some years trading out of Melbourne in various vessels. Later on he came to Now Zealand and was fo- , some time mate with Captain T. N. Clarkson, who is now harbour-master at Timaru, in the schooner Cleopatra, trading between' Lyttelton and Greymouth. He afterwards became master of* the vessel, but later on was mate of the schooner Kangaroo, and while on that vessel was wrecked at Cape Campbell. After that ho was for some years iv charge of the steamer Timaru, engaged in the coal trade between Lyttelton and the West Coast, and after that was master of the hopper Heathcote, employed at Lyttelton on the early dredging work. He afterwards took the vessel to Westport, and later oa joined the Customs Department as a tide waiter at Lyttelton. He filled that position for a number of years, and afterwards went to Wellington, where lie was in charge of the coal hulk Coromandel. While in her he was seriously injured through the vessul breaking adrift in a gale. About two years ago he took charge of the barque Rona. and made several voyages in her. He resigned his command a few months ago.