WRECK OF THE 'FLORA MACDONALD.' PORTIONS OF THE WRECK RECOVERED BEARING THE NAME.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXX, Issue 5135, 5 February 1874, Page 3

WRECK OF THE 'FLORA MACDONALD.' PORTIONS OF THE WRECK RECOVERED BEARING THE NAME.

ON VIEW AT THE CROSS OFFICE Thhre is now no doubt as to the fate of the ' Flora Macdonald.' Ou the first announcement of the disaster we despatched reporters from this office to make the most cweful inquiry into the whole circumstances attending the accident, and the result of their inquiries left no doubt upon our minds aa to the vessel which was lost. This opinion was indicated freely, though absoluto proof was then awanting, but that has now been Bupplied most abundantly. When every source of information was exhausted in Auckland and Onehunga, we.dospatched a special reporter on Tuesday morning to the scene of the wreck, there to search out every item of information relating to the sad accident which would be of interest to the readers of the Cross. The duties of the mission upon which he was sent have been well discharged, and through his instrumentality wo are enabled to place on view a portion of the counter of the ill fated ' Flora Macdonhld ' which will carry conviction to the minds of the most sceptical as to the identity of the lo=t vessel. Tho poition of the counter which can be seen to-day at the Cross office beais the following letters : —

" RA MACDO." Tho portion of the board upon whioh the other letters had been painted is broken off, but there can be no doubt that the above letters ->t one time formed parb of the name ' Flora Macdonald.' The pieces of the wreck, including the portion of the cutter bearing the name, were picked up on the j beach inside the Manukau Heads lute yesterday evening, and our representative there getting an opportunity about 8 o'clock to forward them by boat to Onehunga, did so, aud they arrived at this office shortly before 1 o'clock this morning. Throughout yesterday morning other efforts were being made to ascertain exact information respecting the name of the lost vessel. Mr. T. B. Bill, who is now in Auckland, and who shipped some goods by the Flora Macdonald when she left Onehuuga on her last trip telegraphed to Ngaruawahia for a messenger to rule out to meet the postman coming to the Waikato from Italian to learn when the ' Flora Macdouald' had arrived there. Thia was done, aud in tho course of ] the evening, Mr. Hill received fin answer 1 to his inquiry, which he kindly placed at our disposal. It stated : — " Young | Cbarlton i9 here. The ' Flora MacdonahV has not ai rived at I'aglau." j This tended to confirm the opinion ho had previously expressed ag %t\ the identity of the lout vessel, bn; B till abaoluto proof was ! wanting. t; Wd8 alg0 j earne( i that the c.itter ' Q awn • waa ]ymg inside the Heads-, mil that circumstance gradually piepaiel the minds of the people for the full truth being made known. It remained, how- | ever, for our special representative to discover the evidences which all must admit are overwhelming. One cannot look at those pieces of wreck without experiencing a feeling i of sadness creeping over one of tlia gieat 1"bs of life which has accompanied the destruction of the vessel. '! ho signalman at the Heads is convinced that there were seven J pasaengerB on board, though the names of six are only known at present. it is to be hoped that he has been mistaken, for the loss ( f those on board whose names have been published mako the accident a ea<l enough one without the Ios3 of other lives. The following is the

M'ECIAT. DESPATCH. received fiotn our ropiesentative yesterday evening. It will be read with interest by all. It is as follows : —

MANUKAU HEADS, Wednesday, 5 p.m We returned from searching south shore too lata last evening to telegiaph. About 1 miles fiom the Heads a portion of a dingy was found; It was recoguised a.s belonging to the ' Flora Macdonald.' This morning was beautrully line, the bar clear of break Tho s.s. ' Taranalu' crossed it at 9 o'clock, being steered m by the signals. At 8 o'clock, one of the sons of Mr. Pattridge, sigual master, with AJa&tor Wilhaninon, brother of tho young lad on board tho cutter, started on horseback along the south beach. They were to proceed .is far as Mauku and return to night. At 10.30; Captain Wing and niysulf aud his crew proceeded in his boat to the noith side. On landing at the North Head wo leai nt that several of Mr. Oibbons'a men had U>in along the coast to the uoithward, but hnJ not met with anything. On returning to the boat we learnt that portions of the wreck had been seen near tho Huia. Wo proceeded there, and at tho Little Huia found eight bags flour bearing the brand of Byoroft aud Co., of the Onehunga Mills, also another portion of tho ' Flora Maodon&ldV dingy. In Smith's Bay, about three miles from tho Huia, a newly emptied sugar cask branded WF in diamond was found, also portion of mainsail, portion of the arch board, stern, one hatch, and bow-knee and gunwale of dingy, all recognized aa belonging to the • Flora Macdonald:' There is also an immense quantity of small pieces of timber, all showing clearly that the outter broke up into thousands ol fragments duectly aftor the sea struck. Proceeding along the coast towards Kaikar;ika a caae -was touud m a small bight It harl originally contained bottled ale, but had apparently been repacked with lemonade, as a lurye number of lemonade bottler were I l}ing close about Die case was newly I biandrd E, 70 underneath. j Continuing on our way along to Kaikamatua, the next bay, in whioh Mr. Rowe'a saw mills ai a erected, we, in the furthermost cud from the licads, found a pait of | the counter of th cutter, and also one of the planks, painted black, on which w,n written, in newly painted white letters, 111 MAC IK > thus settling beyotd all doubt tho name of the lll-futad cutter Several of the bulwark stanchions and block belonging to her we also found in the bay. Tho euttor was apparently well built and a largo extent was copper fastened. None of the bodies of the persons on board have yet been found. j It ia doubtful if they will ever bo recovered from the long distance from shore wheio the cutter \vt nt down. They would, in all pro bability lloat away to sea on rising. By a boat leaving for Onehuuga I forsvnrd toy. hi tho board with tho pot turn <f the cutter's uamo, also one of hor atauehiom, a piece of bulwark planking, aud pmtiou of a block for jou to placo on viowat the olhce I have to express my deep thanks to Captain Wing for his kindness in so ably assisting me in tho seare , h« having place I his boat and crew entirely at my disposal. Thnn'ts are also dHe to Mr. Pattrt lac and hia wife for tlioir kindness and hospitality to your reportoi , I will forward further uowb to-morrow.

i MASONIC PICNIC AT UOlUIItt. Tun fust jiiciuc and (hiice mWer the < u-*j Ic p. of the I'rince of Wales hoiige of Fieemasons took place on the charming inland of Motuihi, yesteiday, and proved a inosfc enjoyable treat to all who had tlio pleasure of participating thorein. To tho following gentlemen, who were appointed tho committee to carry on tho airaugoments may be 1 ascribed the thorough succehS of the aflf.ur :— { Me&srs. W. H. Kissling, A. H. Diefchelm, E JJennett, A. Livingstone, Kev. 0. M. Nelson, Jlajor Grceu, JJr. DawsoD, Dr. Wii^ht, and G. N. Braasey, hon. sec. The ' Golden Crown 1 had bien chartered to convey the party to Motuilr, and left the wharf punctually at 10 o'clock, having on board about two hundred pleisuro-seekers. The whole party were landed in a sh idy nook on the island about 11 o'clock, and the younger portion at once commenced the customary romps and games inseparably connocted with al fresco amusdpionta.

THE DINNER* was served up in one of the Urge rooms of the quarantine buildings, — Mr. Gorman, of tho Alexandra Hotel, Parnell, beiug the caterer, who added another laurel on this occasion to his well-known fame for the rechercho character of his public repasts. The chair was occupied by Mr. A. H. Dicthelm, having on his right hand hi* Honor the Superintendent, and Messrs. i.eed. and Beveridge, membera of the Piovincial Executive. Tho vico-chaiis were occupied by Messrs. Livingstone and G. N. Brassey. The cloth having been removed, the Chairman said it was his duty \n call upon tbom to drink the toast of " The Queen and Graft, "and he felt sure they would receive it most heartily. Drank with cheers. — Band : National Anthem. The Chairman said the next toast which ho had to propose was "The Prince of Wales and the rest of the Uoyal Family." He was sure he need not dwell upon the toast to ensure its being most warmly received by all preseut. Jf tho Prince of Wales ouly followed in the footsteps of his mother, he would most assuredly make an excellent ruler over, the people of Great Britain. Many of thosefpresant would no doubt remember that only a short time had elapsed since the Prince of Wales had become a brother, but since jfcbat time his advance had been so rapid'jthat he was already a Grand Master. The toast was drunk atnid«t great applause.—Baud : "God Bless tho Prince of Wales !" Mr. Livingston proposed the hoalth of his Kxcelleiuy tho Governor, Sir James Fergusson. It was right, ho said, that tho health of the Governor should bo duly honoured and remembered upon all such festive occasions because the Governor was the representative of Her Majesty, to whom they owed all honor and submifrs'on. But the Masons had cause to honor rhim for two further reasons : first because ho was a prominent member of their craft, and it H'as sincerely to be hoped his Excellency would yet see fit to take an active and ruling part in Masonic matters in the colony, am-l secondly, he had shown that he was perfectly able to estimate ability, — that u hen he saw talent aud genius he was not t-low to acknowledge it. At the dame time there was a class of people — unfortunately too numerous ia this colony — who bad got neither bitth, breeding, position, nor money, still they constituted themselves a kind of aristocracy — he need not say how spunoua ; but Sir James Fergussou had shown that he was well able to deal m ith these persons as they deserved, according to their deseits. Thereforo the Masons would admire and esteem his Excellency most highly, and he called upou them to drink to the health of his Excellency Sir James Pergusson, as tho representative of her Majesty, as a gentleman, and a Mason. (Loud applause. ) The toa9t was drunk amidst much applause. — Baud: "For he's a jolly good ftllow." Mr. Benxltt proponed- 1 " the health of his Honor tho Superintendent." After tto veiy btarty manner in which the toasts c>f the Queen aud his Excellency the Governor had been received, ho felt sure a very warm reception would be accorded to the health of his Honor the Superintendent, a gentleman who bad resided in the province of Auckland for such a length of years, and whose interests were so intimately bound up w ith the interests of all living in the province. Under the administration of his Honor the Superintendent aud his Executive he fully believed a very fair hope could be enteil.aned for uninterrupted progress to the piovmce. It gavo him very great pleasure to piopose "The health of his Honor the Superintendent, coupled with the healths of bin Executive-." (Cheers.) The toast was drunk amidst great cheering.—Band : " When Johany comes marching homD." His Honor the Superintendent said he could not feel otherwise) than highly pleased at the manner in which his name — coupled with that of his Executive — had been introduct il to them that day ; and he must say he felt deeply grateful for the invitation which had been given to him and his Executive to join in the festivities on that occasion. He was not himself connected with th<- old and honouiod craft of Masonry, but when he saw them able to collect such a largo assemblage of the youth and beauty of Auckland, he could not but feel that he had a strong longing indeed to belong to the craft. The ladies would no doubt feel it to be a glorious thing to be enabled to trip the light fantastic toa in such a sunny spot in Auckland's magnificent harbour, and the absence from tho treat of that day (when it came to be recorded in tho daily papers) would be legretted by all Masons who had remained away. He had had his doubts about being j present at tho festivities that day, but he ' must say ho felt delighted that he had broken bis journey to the East Coast, and had been allowed to partake in the pleasure. As he bad said, he was on his ] way to the East Coast, and the recollection of pa'sing such a pleasant day — so many pleasant hours upon an island which he was [ sure might vie with the sunniest isles in Bunny Greece — would long remain vivid in j bis recollection. (Applause ) His friend, Mr. l»eed, in his Northern trip — much to his astonishment — had foun 1 that, not alone round Au.klaud were moat delightful spots to be found, but that they exi&ted all thioughout the province. (Hear, hear.) He a^ain desired to thank all preseut for tho heaity lecrption which tho toast had received at tht.ir bunds. (Applause) Mr, BhVFKi Da k did not think they would bo doing their duty if the dinner party separated without dunking, very conlmlly, a toast which he found d'd not appnti on the programme. The Worshipful Master of the Lodge had, he must say, very properly kept tho toast fio.n tho piogrammc. The toast viii', "Success and Prosperity to the Ptince cf Wales Lodge." (ApI'lnuse.) If is Honoi the Suptnntendent hal already a\\nd< d to the galaxy of beauty that had been got together a' such a \eiy short notice ; and ho qui'o coincided with all th.it his Honor had spoken. lie thought it was pxtiemtly creditable to tho I oilgc for the hohd iy they were now («)nyinj«, hut they were also indebted to tin m for the very excellent tioat which hail In en given to Hum that day. llo did not thuik he had evei altenfleil a ftstive inciting in connection with any L h1>;m — aud ho mint confi ss he hal nttiuriud agiuat many — \shuiu tho whole ilelaila hud i.een so succtssfully cm ie<l out ho f.ir fmin what ho uu;_'bfc call "civil i-i*il lif.'." Ho beg^ul to piopoie "Lung life .mil proapeuty fo tin. <tlic"ig aud bii'Hiicn of ilu I'nnee of Wales Lodge " Tin toast wai diunk anudac gieat ap-£>liU-0 'I ho Rev. (J. M. Nllsov, in a very able t pinch, ptoposcd "Tho Pieaa," and we icgret that our space will not permit its repjoliue ion on this occasion. The toast having bien drunk with all tho honors, the representatives of «tho three Auckland papers responded. .

. M.i|<ii Ot i i,s, in ■<. \ cry eulogistic <-pfcc)>, ' pioposed "Tin. HcVth of his Worship the [ Major of Auckland," to wlnoli hm Worship, L\ .1. Philips, Lt(| , suit.iMy u"-pijndtd. Air. Urassey, in a humorous speuth. proposed ''Tho Ladies," oa whose behalf Mi. iiKNNETT also respouded in an equally hu- , uioioua manner. The party thai adjourned for games and dancing, which wore kept up with great spirit to the harmonious strains of the City 1 Baud until the shades of evening drew nigh, when a cessation was made for tea and refreshments. Dancing was again resumed in two of tho large quarantine rooms, and kept up with uuditmnished vigor until 10 o'clock, when the 'Golden Crown' came in sieht from the Thames, aud all were safely einLarked. As the landing-stage, however, was being pushed from the rocks into the boat, Mr. Malcolm Niccol and two other gentlemen wore knocked by it into the water, and suffered, a ducking and some hard rubs. This was the only mishap which occurred throughout the day, and the pleasure party arrived* at the wharf at 12 o'clock.