SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

Evening Star, Issue 7495, 13 April 1888, Page 3

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

CHRISTCHUKCH, April 13. A rather mysterious occurrence took place in Lyttelton on March 31. Just as the steamer Coptic was leaving the wharf on her Homeward voyage a ioud splash was heard in the water near the vessel as though sonicouo had fallen overboard. At the same moment a boat was seen to shoot out from under the breastwork near where the steamer had been moored and make in the direction whence the sound proceeded. Search was made at once, but to the surprise of everyone neither man nor boat was seen again. Public opinion at the time the mystery occurred was pretty well divided. Some thought a man who wished to desert his ship had jumped overboard and was picked up and taken ashore by the boat; while n notion got abroad that the affair was simply a case cf smuggling. The weather was thick at the time, and the object which fell into the water was seen moving rapidly towards a buoy ; the. boat, following the same course, disappeared into the mist, and as it was not seen again it was surmised that tjiic contraband goods had been thrown overboard, hauled'out to the buoy by a line, and that the boat picked them up. This theory, you will observe, which shows an acquaintance with smuggling practices, is very suggestive to those inclined to take a cynical view of the character of those who frequent the Lyttelton wharves. Thoso who considered that a man had been drowned were few and far between, more especially when the search made by the police proved fruitless. The matter had just about died out, but early this forenoon the man employed by the Harbor Board as fireman at tho graving dock was walking along the western breakwater, ahd noticed the body of a man floating on the surface. He immediately made the fact known to the polico, who brought the body to the morgue, where it now lies. The body is that of a man about fifty years of age, a little above the average height, broad features, and grey hair. When picked up the body was clothed in bluo trousers and jersey, the latter having the word " National" across the front. Up to the present it has not been identified. PROMOTION. WELLINGTON, April 13. Mr J. H. Lowe, engineer of constructed railways, in charge of the Hurunui-BlufF section, is being removed to Wellington, and will be placed in charge of the constructed railways of the colony.