WRECK OF THE S.S. TARARUA.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2239, 2 May 1881, Page 3

WRECK OF THE S.S. TARARUA.

Oyer 100 Lives Lost, EXCITEMENT IN CHRISTCHURCIL .—.—_© As was naturally to beexpeoted, the disaster to the ill-fated Tararua caused wide-spread sorrow throughout our community. No' alone was it that in the history of tho colony such a locs of lifo on board a passenger steamer was unparalleled, but the melancholy circumstances attending the accident, the sudden ending of many valuable and useful liven, not only caused grief in tho households whero bereavement had come, but all alike felt that a general calamity had taken place.

The first news which reached Chriatohurch of any disaster to the Tararua, which had left Lyttelton on the preceding Tuesday, wbb contained in a brief telegram published in the looil papers of Saturday morning, which, while stating that the steamer had run on to a reef, yet led us to believe that no lives were lost. Hardly, however, were the publio able to become aware of the fact that a disaster had occurred to the steamer, than the hopes raised Jof the safety of the passengers were dispersed by the receipt of a telegram from the scene of the wreck, conveying the melancholy intelligence that, so far as could be ascertained, the passengers were, with bat a few exceptions, lost. The sad news was promptly made publio by extras Isaued from the various offices, and during the whole morning the streets of Christchuroh presented such a soene of excitement as has not been witnessed on any previous occasion. The newspaper offices were besieged by anxious friends and relatives, as well as by crowds of the general public, eager to learn the fate of those on board. Every scrap of intelligence as it was flashed over the wires was read with avidity, and wherever in tho course of business one went during the day, but one expression of feeling was met with, that of universal sorrow and regret for the untimely fate of thoso who, but a few short days before, had set forth on their journey full of hope, and with many plans for the future. Si.ill, despite the terribly brief but heart chilling telegrams which at intervals reached us, many hoped against hope that those whom they loved, or who had been their closest friends, were not included in the dark muster roll of the drowned. As the day wore on, however, and further particulars reached here, it became evident that, with but few exceptions, all on board had perished. To read the later accounts reminded one of that terrible night when the Boyal Charter struck on the iron-bound Welsh coast, and her passengers were to be seen being washed off one by one without possibility of help reaching them. Here we are told the Bottlers in the neighborhood of the wreck of the Tararua had perforce to stand by and see the ill-fated passengers clinging to the rigging, with the hungry sea gradually but surely engulfing them. With such melancholy details before them, and the fact, as stated, that the passengers from here were those who, apart from their family connections and ties, were also well known and respected amongst us in varied capacities, it was to be expected that great and wide-spread publio interest would be felt. The offices of the evening journals on Saturday night were regularly rushed by crowds of people, and tnough the telegrams added but little to what had already been sent, they were unfortunately sufficient to extinguish any faint hopes that might have been entertained for the safety of any of the passengers beyond those whose rescue had already been made known. A third edition of the Gxobe, issued on Saturday night, and the story of the first mate, published as a "Press" Rxtra on Sunday morning, though giving a few more details contained not a solitary gleam of hope, and it was evidently too true that of the hundred or bo on board but a small band of survivors had reached the shire or been picked up from the boats. So far as can be gathered from the telegrams not one female was saved ; and it seems that when the steamer parted those wbo had been gathered by Captain Garrard into what promised to be for a time at least a haven of safety were all swept away. With the necessarily hurriedly collected details before us it is not possible to arrive at any definite conclusion respecting the cause of the catastrophe. Whatever might have been the cause, all the acoounts agree in this, that Captain Garrard, like a (rue British sailor, stuok manfully to his post, in face of danger and excitement, and endeavored, so far as can be seen, by all means in bis power to provide for the safety of those under his charge. In Lyttelton, as elsewhere, deep and profound sorrow was felt by the community when the sad news reached them. It had been but a day, comparatively speaking, since they had bid good-bye to a very popular old friend, Dr. Campbell, and one of their oldest residents, Mr W. Young, the bootmaker in Canterbury street, and had waved a parting hand to them as the steamer moved from the wharf. Mr Young was on his way to the old country just to have another look at it after an absence of something like twenty years. His wife and family are in Fort, having remained behind to take care of the businoss. Universal sorrow is expressed for them at what must be a severe bereavement. It was a strong source of hope for a time that Mr Young, being a powerful swimmer, and in good practice in the art, would have reached the shore. This is, of course, now given up in the absence of direct news from him, which would assuredly have been sent at once were he one of the little band of survivors. On Saturday, it was reported pretty generally that Mr P. Cunningham had received a telegram from Dr. Campbell, and the belief became very common that that gentleman was among the saved. The mistake is said to have occurred by someone first surmising that as Mr Cunningham had telegraphed to Fort the account of the disaster, he had received his information from Dr. Campbell by telegraph. It was a stupidly started report, and caused considerable needless pain to not a few of Dr. Campbell's friends. Reference to the disaster was ir.ado in all the oity churohes yesterday. At St. Paul's Presbyterian Church the Rev. Mr Elmslie briefly spoke of the terrible disaster which had plunged so many families into mourning, and intimated that further reference would be made to it on a future ocoasion. The soiree and concert in connection with the church, which were to take place on Thursday next, have been postponed in consequence of tho event. At the Durham street Weslejan Churoh the officiating minister made brief and sympathetic reference to the loss of so many valued ministers and lay preachers of the denomination, and the same course was adopted at St. Albans, where tho Rev. Mr Buller preached. The rev. gentleman read the latest telegrams published of the occurrence, and also announced that a meeting i would be held this evening in the schoolroom to see what steps should be taken to show practically their sympathy with the widow and children of the late Rev. Mr Richardson, i I who was minister of the circuit.

We are indebted to the Telegraph Department for tho following message from tho operator at Wyndham : —I had a look through the luggage, having a 3paro half-hour or so. Two or three of tho trunks aro Dr. Campbell's. One contains a portrait sibum, in which thcro is an ciceller.t likeness of himself, and in tho other are children's clothss and bools, evidently tho children's books, for on tho fly leaf of one is " Presented to Donald Campbell by the Principal." Mr Maloney is confident that thore wore seventy steerage, because there were seventy bunks, and he heard complaints at Port Chalmers of overcrowding and no room. He saw ten passengers getting tickets from the purser after leaving Port Chalmers.

BIOGRAPHIES IN BRIEF.

The following are trief biographies of same of the passengers from Canterbury and of Captain Garrard : Dr D. Campbell was a native of Perthshire, having been born at Lschearnhead. Ho studied medicine at Edinburgh where he took his degree. He came to New Zealand some twelve years ago, and went into praotice in

I Lyttolton, where ho remained for obout_ two years. He made a large circle of friends there, and his removal to Christehurch was regarded by many with regret. He entered into practioo in Ohristchurch, and Boon achieved considerable suooess from his ability, and as in Lyttelton made many warm friends hero. Wishing to mate'iimself acquainted with tho latest discoveries connected with his profeesion, in which ho was quite an enthusiast, arrangements were made by him for a trip to thu Continent and Great Britain. It was his intontion, had ho been spared, to have visited tho hospitals in Vienna, .Berlin, Paris, London, Edinburgh, &3., and to have re turned here about Christmas with the knowledge thus gained. With Mrs Campbell and bis family he was on his way to join the Orient eteamer when the sad cataatropho occurred, which not orily put an end to his plans, but swept away the whole family. Dr. Campbell wrb an enthusiastic diaoiple of Izaak Wulton, and with olhor expert brothers of tho angle had been most successful in the South in his tours. Ho was an energetic

member of the Anglors' Society, and in almost the laßt conversation he had with a gentleman here prior to starting on his ill-fated voyage he descanted in glowing terirs upon tho pleasure he expected to derive iu plying the gentle craf i in the rivers of his nativo country, where ho had often had great sport with salmon. In acclimatisation, also, Dr. Campbell took a great deal of interest, and was a member of the Council of the Canterbury Society. He was a member of the Canterbury Lodge, 1048, E.G., of Frco and Accepted Masons, and also took a part in the founding of the Robert Burns Lodge, S.O. His death will leave a blank in oar midst not easily filled, and apart from the sad nature of bis end, deep and profound regret will be felt by a very large number of professio-al and oth* r Mends to whom he bad made himself very much beloved. His brother, who resides in Tirnaru, started for the scene of tho wreck on Saturday morning on receipt of tho news, to see if any tidings could be obtained. Dr. Campbell's father resides at Southbridge. The Rev. J. B. Richardson has long occupied a very prominent position in the ranks of Wesloyan Methodism as an earnest and zealous minister. He came to New Zealand in 1864, and Bicce that period has labored uninterruptedly, chiefly in charge of oircuits in tho Canterbury and Wellington districts. Ho was recently in charge of the Kaiapoi cirouit, where tho news of his death has created profound sorrow. At tho time of his death he was minister of tho St. Albans circuit, the second largest in the Canterbury district. At the recent meeting of the New Zojland Wesleyan Conference hold at Nelson he was chosen as President for the year, and he was on his way to Melbourne to attend the Australasian Conference as one of tho clerical representatives for New Zealand, when he met his death.

The Bev. Joseph Waterhouso was a brother of tho Hon. G. M. Watorhouse, M.L.0., and a minister under the Australian Conference, stationed in Viotoria. Ho had been a minister of the Wesleyan Church for upwards of thirty years, a large portion of which he spent as missionary in the Fijian group. He was en a visit to New Zealand to see his son, who had come over here for his health, and who was returning with him to Victoria on board the steamer. Mr Waterhouso leaves a widow and seven children, many of whom are grown up. The Rev. J. Armitage was well known here. For many years he worked as a compositor, both in the office cf tho "Press" and in the " Lyttelton Times." He was at this time a lay preacher in connection with the Wesleyan Church, and about six years ago took up the full ministerial work, having passed the various examinations very satisfactorily. For the past two years he has edited the "New Zealand Wesleyan," and contributed very largely to its columns. He was for some time in charge of the Kaiapoi cirouit, but recently, in accordance with the itinerant plan of the Methodist Church, he was removed by Conference to Leeston. Mr Armitage was* deservedly very highly respected as a most earnest and upright man in all his vocations. He leaves a widow and eight children. Mr E. Connal, who was one of the lay representatives of the Australian Wesleyan Conference, has been a resident in Christchuroh for about twenty-five years, during which period, by his genuine sterling worth, he succeeded in gaining the warm respect of, a very large circle of friends. For tamo years he had been a most effective lay preacher in connection with the Wesleyan body here, and outside of this had by his kindliness of heart made himself a general favorite. He was of studious habits and considerable attainments, possessing a wide range of information. He had for a considerable time taken charge of the Young Men's Bible Class in connection with tho Durham street church, and was also a prominent member of the literary association held there. Mr Connal was a widower, and had only one son, Mr B. M. Connal, who has very highly distinguished himself as a student in connection with Canterbury College. Mr E. Mitchell, the other lay represenative of the Australasian Conference, was for many years head master of the St. Albans district school, a post which he had only.recently resigned. Ho leaves a widow and one married daughter. Captain Garrard was a son of Mr Joseph Garrard, an officer in the Revenue service at Home, and was born on Maroh 2nd, 1852. When about eleven years of age he entered the Royal Naval School at Greenwich, and here he studied so successfully that at the age of fourteen he was admitted to_ the Nautical Sohools to receive a course of instruction in navigation and nautical astronomy. At the final examination he came out at the head of the list, and received a special recommendation of the Admiralty for six months' further tuition. When he left the schools he was head captain of his company, and carried with him the respeot of all who knew him, both masters and bays. He entered Lidgett's line of vessels, and served five years' apprenticeship, visiting during that time the principal commercial ports of the world. During bis career as third mate he was wrecked in the ship Humber on an island in the Bay of Fundy, but fortunately no lives were lost, and this may be attributed mainlv to his exertions after tho crew had succeeded in effecting a landing upon a most inhospitable shore. The disaster occurred in the depth of winter, and the men suffered considerably from drowsiness, caused by the intense cold and the drink taken ashore with them. Captain Garrard, who then was, and has always been, a total abstainer, appears to have been in a better position to withstand the cold. He succeeded in making his way over the frozan cliffs and through the snow driftß to a fisherman's cottage, where he gave information of the accident, and the men were rescued. Captain Garrard subsequently gained some experience in steam navigation in the Mediterranean, and came out to this colony about five years ago in the Dilhawar to Wellington. He went with the vessel as far as Adelaide on tho return journey, but there he succeeded in obtaining his discharge, with the intention of finally settling in the colonies. He joined tho Hawea as second mate, and obtained rapid promotion, being moved from one boat to the other at frequent intervals. Captain Garrard was chief officer of the Taupo on the occasion of her loss at Tauranga, and his coolness and presence of mind on that occasion will be remembered. Ho then retnrned to Dunedin, and was appointed to the command of the Ladybird and subsequently of the Albion. On the occasion of the changes in the Tararua consequent on the gold robbery some two months baok he was transferred to that vessel vioe Captain Muir, who is now landlord of a hotel in Melbourne.

Referring to Mr W. B. Jones, the purser of the Tararua, ho will be remembered by many here as a most promising and clever artist, particularly in marino scenery. Ho had bocn for a long time in the Union Company's eeryieo, and on tho fatal occasion was accompanied by his wife, a daughter of Mr Tipping. Of some other of tho it rnoy bo noted that Messrs T. Jones end W. White wore from Kaiiipoi, Mr J. Seoone frsm Ran giora

DUNEDIN, Ai.rl! 30.

The wreck of tho Tararua caused great excitement in Dunedin, a d ovtr eight thousand extras wore issued from thu " Tiracn' " office alone. At present only oeventoen are known to bo saved, viz., eight men in the second mate's boat, eight who were seer> to land, and one who swam ashore with the news. Of the eight saved in tho boat, the names of only four have been oscortaiuerl, viz., James Maher (engineer's storekeeper), William Hill (steerage passenger), Mr Maloney (second mate), and James Burnett (seaman). The other four saved in tho boat were seamen, two of them being Dutchmen, but their names have not been ascertainable, as a boat is away with them. The account given by the second mate is substantially as follows: —Tho ship struck about fire o'clock on Friday morn-

i ins;. The night had been very dark, with a i thick haze oyer the land. Both officers and i captain were on deck. Captain Garrard thought that he wu far enough to the southward to clear Waipapa Point, and gave instructions to alter the oourse to tho west, so as to head for tho Bluff, for which port ho was bound. Ten miautCß before the ship struck the captain went aft to verify his oourse by the standard compass. While he was doing so, tho second mate found that tho Tossel waß in a dangerous position. Tho cou' so was altered immediately, but too late, for she struck on a reef to the northward of Slope Point. The ship being on the weather side of the roef, waß exposed to the heavy swell. The second mate was sent with a boat's crow and one passenger, to look for a landing plaoe, and a second boat was despatched with the chief offioer with the same instructions. One of tho crew of the second mate's boat (James Maher) swam to the reef with great difficulty to see if it was possible to land the people there. Meanwhile, tho boat in charge of the chief officer capsized. Mr Maloney, however, says that fire persons were seen to land from her. He and the second officer afterwards took his boat back to tho vessel, and then returned to tho rcof, bringing three steerage passengers. Some of the crew who were supposed to be able to swim, jumped overboard, but were never seen again. Maher swam to the boat, and was taken on board greatly exhausted. This very plucky action occurred early in the morning. A boat containing the second mate, tw > passengers, and four seamen, was pioked up by tho Prince Rupert and transferred to the Kakanui. A portion of tho mail bags was also picked up. No other lives can be expected to bo Bavod. A child's body was also picked up by the Kakanui. The special correspondent of the "Daily Times" telegraphs from Wyndham: Arrived hore, about threo o'clock this morning, the train containing sixteen, five police, and Messrs Thompson, Gore, Clayton, l>ary i (ohcmist),Mackay (Mackay Bracken and Co.), Rev. Buttle, Ferguson (Tuapeko), Hardio (draper), and a few others. Find no additional news hero, so am going on to tho tcane of the wreck, thirty-five miles away. Some go by coach and some on horseback. It is raining ' here heavily. Mr Hardio (draper, of Dunediu) had a brother on board. ,

Another reporter of the " Otago Daily Times" telegraphed from the Bluff: " The b.b. Hawea reached Slope Point at 7 a.m. to-day, and found the ketch Prince Rupert with the seoond mate of the Tararua. Mr Maloney, six men and a steerage pas senger, William Hill. A boat came alongside the Hawea. Mr Maloney reported that the Tararua went ashore north of Slope Point at 5 a.m. on Friday. Two boats were lowered and sent away. The chief mate's boat capsized, and five men out of her wore seen to land. One man from the second mate's boat swam ashore. The second mate returned to the ship, but could not get alongside, owing to the heavy sea which Bwept completely over the steamer; and be stood away for a port. There appear to bo no traces of the Tararua. Cabin fittings, stores, luggage, and mail bags are floating about. The s.s. Kakanui has been off the scene of the disaster sinoe last night. The body of the ; infant ohild of Mr Hill flaatad past the Hawea, and was recovered ; while that of an adult male passenger was picked up off Slope Point, close in shore, by the Kakanui. It is presumed there were over 100 persons on board the Tararua, while at present we only know of 17 saved—throe are on board the Hawea, and the others are presumably ashore. Six bags of mails have been reoovered. Oapt. Cameron, Marine Superintendent of the Union Company, is on shore, and there is a strict search being made along the coast. The sea is crowded with wreckage for miles. The Hawea loft Slope Point at 11.40 a.m. for the Bluff, and after sending letters ashore has returned to the point. The Union Company have roceived the following from the steward of the Hawea :—" Bluff: The Tararua has broken up; the chief and second mate and fifteon men are known to be saved. Two survivors and a dead infant are on board the Hawea. No news from shore. A later telegram states that the names of tho survivors are not known."

TheFortrose correspondent of the "Times" telegraphed:—"A terrible sea arose with the flood tide after the Tararua struck on the reef, breaking and sweeping her from stern and bows. The vessel filled immediately after striking. The boats were launched but only succeeded in landing seven steerage passengers, a.:d six seaman. One boat is still absent, in which are the second mate and three sailors, and two steerage passengers. The balance of the passengers took to the rigging and bows, but numbers wore washed off by each succeeding sea, while others who attempted to reach the shore by the aid of pieces of wood, and life-buoys were drowned in the surf. It was quite impossible to assist the poor creatures from the shore, although within sight. The vessel and cargo broke up, and the beach was strewn with wreckage of all descriptions yesterday. Only one person came ashore after the boats wore found use-lees. The vessel parted amidships towards tho afternoon. At 2.35 this morning she became a total wreck, the masts breaking, and the hull went over on her broad-side, drowning all who remained on board.

The " Star " publishes the following particulars regarding the Tararua's passengers : It is estimated that about twenty-five people took out passages after joining the steamer at Port Chalmers. Of these we have ascertained the names of four :—John Barry is said to have been at one time engaged as driver of Iveson's Green Island ooaoh. Dennis English, William English, and Alexander McKenzie were shearers. The last mentioned is well known in the Otepopo district, where his father kept a hotel for many years. The Baes are brothers, who came down country in the early part of the week to proceed to the Mount Browne diggings. We learn that the Bank of New Zealand had shipped old silver (called in by the Government) to the value of £4OOO by the vessel. It was insured in Melbourne, but with what offices is no"; known here. Mr George Martin, who joined the vessel at Port Chalmers, came from near Timaru, where his relatives reside. Mr Ramsay is the eldest son of the Rev. D. Ogilvy Ramsay, minister, of Closeburn, Dumfrieshire, and nephew of Mr Keith Ramsay of this city. He had come to the colonies for the benefit of his health, and was returning home. We believe that Captain Garrard was making his last trip before being married to a lady in Melbourne. He was only twenty-nine years of oge, and is understood to have been the youngest captain in the intercolonial service. Mr Bainbridge was a cousin of Mr Mackay, of Messrs Mackay, Bracken and Co., and was returning to the old country in ill health. The Rev. Mr Waterhouse was well known as having been for many years in charge of the Wesleyan Mission at Fiji, and Mr Waterhouso is his son. The Bev. Mr Richardson was President of the New Zaaland Wesleyan Conference, and the Rev. J. Armitage one of the secretaries of the Conference, and editor of the "Wesleyan." There is one dead body washed aßhore. It is well dressed, tall, and dark complexion. Name unknown. A large quantity of wreckage is coming ashore.

THE EIEST MATE'S STATEMENT. WYNDHAM, April 30. The following is the first mare's statement of the calamity : I turned in at 4 a.m., the captain and second mate being on deck. At 5 15 a.m. the vessel struck. When I left the deck we were steering west. From two to four had been oteerirg W.S.W. Weather hazy over land. Notioed nothing unusual. When I called the watch the captain came on deck, and altered the course. I was asleep when the ship struck. Buehed on deck. The engines were reversed, but it was no usa. She struck aft, nashipped the rudder and broke tho propeller. Tho engines were of no use, they being stopped. All hands were called to clear bor.t3. Ten minutes afteor the engines were ftcpp:(3, tho ship was full of wator. At 5.30 the- firjt boat was) lowered, the eooond mate beingin charge, with four stiilora crd one paasonger t-.u a cre<r to try to find a landing plana for Ix.wr6uce, a young man, when fcho boat wee about half v>s.y swam asborj, havi:;g prefiouily promised toremci:; end lend aiiiotauce. He did so after finding his way to Bi - ::ntor.'s land causing to be sent the first telegraph message per station hand, Charles Gibb, who rode thirty-five miles to Wyndham. Another attempt at landing passengers was made, and out of five two were drowned in the surf. Another boat was lowered and the carpenter sent with it to Bee if landing was practicable on the reef. His report was unsatisfactory. The second mato was then sent, and tried landing on the reef without success, one man being lost in the attempt. The captain next sent the first mate in charge of a boat containing three passengers and a boy. All landed safe except the boy, who was drowned. The boat was capsized and

opened at both ends. Repairs were made by the men on shore, but tho sea was too heavy to launch it. Vessel bumping heavily. The passengerß were in the rigging and clustered on the forecastle with head sea breaking over them heavily. The heavy sea washed several of the passengers, women and children over, and after that they dropped off one by one. A survivor, the Maltese oook, who swam bravely for his own life and tried to rescue a girl, states that the captain got all the ladies out of the smoke house to the forecastle head, all bting there till 2 30, when the sea washed them off. The captain displayed coolness to the last; his exclamation, when all hope was lost, was, "Oh God, what shall we do now ?" The steamer soon settled down ' after night came on. Cries were heard on Bhore, then cheers, as a light supposed to ha the steamer Kakanui, was seen ; then a great crash ; then only the rolling of the surf. At daylight tho eteamer heeled over, and gradually sank, until only a portion of the spars wero visible. The steamers Hawea, Kakanui and the Prince Rupert, were in the offing, the latter picked up the second inato's boat.

It ia at present unknown hero whother they picked up any more survivors. The total number rescued is twenty. Some mail bags wore picked up at sea, and a child's body was found by the Kakanui. Those on shore declare how heart-rendering was their inability to give any help. Two brave swimmers battled for life on a plank. One splendid swimmer left the plank at tho edge of the surf, and came in with a roller. He was seen to be struggling within a fow yards, but was taken out by the back drift. The reef extends seven miles out. The men landed almost naked, and clothes wore sent at tho order of Mr J. S. Shanks to supply their wants. The kindness of Mr Brunton was unbounded. Singularly, the body that oame ashore had a life buoy attached. Life was scarcely extinot, but all moans were unavailing to restore consciousness.

THE SECOND MATE'S STATEMENT

Peter Maloney said—l am sooond officer of

(he Tararua. ft was my watch from 12 on Thursday to 4 a.m. on Friday. The night was very dark, and there was a thick haze over the land. The ship struck about 5 a.m. on Friday. The captain had come on to the bridge, and all the officers were on deck. Captain Garrard thought he was far enough to the south to clear Waipapa Point, acd gave instructions to alter the course to the west, so as to head for the Bluff. A few minutes before the ship struok the oaptain went aft to verify his position by the standard compass. While he was doing so I became aware that the ship waa in a dangerous position. The course was immediately altered, but too late, for the vessel went right on to the reef to the northward of Slope Point. I was sent away with a boat's crew and one of the passengers to find a landing if possible, and the second boat was despatched in charge of the chief officer, with the same instrnctions. James Maher, one of my boat's crew, swam to the reef to find if it were possible to land the people there. Meantime the chief officer's boat had capsized. Five persons were seen to land from her. I took my boat back to the vessel and then returned to the reef with three passengers, in addition to my boat's orew. These passengers, who were supposed to be able to swim, jumped overboard and were not seen again. James Maher swam back to the boat, and was taken on board greatly exhausted. He was bruised in the ribs, arms, and head. Early in the day the other two boats wore washed out of the davits and smashed. After getting Maher on board I tried to get alongside the steamer again, but found it impossible, as the sea was making a clean breach over her excepting on the fore peak. The ladies and ohildren were placed in the smoking room on the bridge for safety. As I could do no more, I stood out to Bea to see if I oould fall in with any passing vessel and obtain help, and at 2.30 p.m. on Saturday Oaptain W. Hanuing, of the ketch Prince Rupert, took us alongside and remained by her till the Hawea oame up. DUNEDIN, May 1. Fifteen thousand extras issued by the " Daily Times" containing particulars of the wreck of the Tararua, have been eagerly read by the public. The following particulars were published to-day ia the extra : OAPTAIN A. CAMERON'S SEARCH Capt. Angus Cameron, the marine superintendent of the Union Company, who landed at Boat Harbor, off Fortrose, on Saturday morning, and made a thorough search of the beach (as far as was practicable) from end to end, states that at noon on Saturday he observed the points of the Tararua's bowsprit and mizenmast sticking out above the surf. The wreok appeared to be about a mile off shore, and on the north side of Waipapa Point. Proceeding along the beach Captain Cameron collected the survivors of the passengers and crew (with the exception of Mr Lindsay, the ohief officer, who was it was presumed searching for bodies along the bench), and with the assistance of Mr Brunton, whose station he arrived at, procured a waggon and sent the poor fellows as far as possible towards Boat Harbor. While returning to the scene of the wreck Captain Cameron states that he observed the bodies of a young female (apparently some twenty years of age) and a young man of from twenty-five to thirty years. The bodies were perfectly nude, and two ladies, wives of the settlers, kindly proceeded to envelope the girl's body in a sheet. Captain Cameron adds that he gave orders for coffins for the unfortunate young people, and left Mr Peter Maloney, second officer, with Mr Lindsay, the ohief officer, to look after any bodies which might wash ashore. Having done all that he possibly could, Captain Cameron retraced his steps along the beach, a task of great difficulty, getting a lift for part of the road from Mr Rich. The following is the

NABRA.TIVE OF THE SUBVIVOBS. Gsorge Bobins said—l am a steerage passenger from Otago to Melbourne. I left the ship by the last trip of the first officer's boat. Just as we reached the beach the boat capsized, and I made for shore. As soon as we landed we lit a fire on the beach and kept it burning all night. Just at dark we saw the ship. The paasengers were then clinging to the rigging. I picked the cook up out of the water as he swam ashore. Our boat was capsized right on the top of us. When we exlricated ourselves we swam ashore. The sea was very rough. Gustavo Tellien—l am a steerage passenger. I corroborate what Bobins states. When the ship first struck it seemed but slight, but after that she bumped heavily. The seoond time she struck a hole was made in her. She continued striking until she finally broke up. Oaptain Garrard was perfeotly cool and gare hiß orders very collectedly. I think he did all in his power to save ub and the ship. Bobins picked up the body of a saloon passenger. He was entirely nude, and about thirty years of age. He had reddish brown whiskers and moustache.

William Hill said—l was a through passenger for England in the steerage with my wife and child. At the time the ship struck I went on deck to look for my wife and ohild. I found her washing about the deck (the females were in another compartment) with the child in her arms. All was confusion. The women and children were screaming. The vessel was bumping heavily on the rocks, and a heavy sea was washing over her. I told my wife to hold on to a stanchion, and went to see if there was any means of getting a boat. I found that all was confusion. At last the starboard boat was got out, and as she was being lowered from the davits a sea struck her, and she was stove in. The men got back to the ship. After some delay a boat was got out on the port side, and then Captain Garrard sucoeedod in restoring order. He put the second mate in charge of the boat. It went round to the Btarbcard (the lee side), and the men who could swim wore aloo placed in bor, in order that they might oarry the intelligence to land. Tha boat succeeded in petting near tho ehore, and a roan then swum Lahore. f Xho beat returned to tho ship, and the passengers wore anxious to get in. A 'ine wj'.j rcve fi cm tho yardarm, fc.id eii pes-ecng.';-3 tri.ra lowered into her. They v. ere ca-alionod not to go unless they could swim. I saw them struggling in tho water. I allude to passengers. 1 only saw threo of them gem the chore. It wts getting lijjht at tho time when tho boet returned. The c iptain said he would not rißk any more going. The females wore conveyed to the smoking room in front of the bridge. Tho captain it was, I think, said to me, " Q-et your wife and child into the smoking room. She will bs all right there." The sea was breaking over the vessel aft. I said to my wife, if there was a chance of gotting away to render assistance I would go, as I should not be allowed to remain with her. I took a survey of tho shore, and seeing a smooth part near the reef, I went to the captain and called his attention to it, asking him if there was not a possibility of landing on that part of the reef. He sent away a second boat in chargo of the carpenter. I

did not flee her leave the ehip. When she came back the carpenter said he thought it was possibls to land on the reef if a kedge anchor was put in the boat. I asked the captain to allow me to go to the reef and examine it, and I said I would hold up my arms as a signal if it were safe to land on. One of the firemen went with me and the boat's

crew. On searing the reef in the second mate's boat we found it was not so smooth as if. appeared. It was very rough, and there was a heavy seu rolling over it. Tho fireman swam from the boat to the surf. It was a vcrv dangerous plan, I returned to tho ship, and then went book to the reef for the fireman, who swam out to the boat and was taken on hoard her greatly exhausted. We oould not, get alongside the ship again on account of the high sea. The chief efficsr and a boat's crew tried to land on the reef, hut oould not, and they made for the beach. [At ! his time the Hawea made the rceno ot the disaster, ar;d Mr Hill's attention being attracted to the wreckage no further statement could be pro oured from him] John Ohattorton said —I am a steerage passenger. I went off in tho male's boat at 10

urn. on Friday, April 29th, with threa passengers, five of the crow, and a lad (* brass cleaner) On nearing the beach a wave capsized the boat and all hands had to swim for it. After a desperate struggle all succeeded in reaching the beaoh but the boj, who wa« drowned. When the ship struck, I was in nay bunk, and hearing a noise, said "What's that ? We are on a rock." There was an immediate rush on deck. As booh as the passengers were there all was quiet and orderly. Directly she struok, the sea broke over her stern ar.d carried away the rudder, the wheel, and after-gear. We were, I should Hay, a mile and a-half from shore, and drifted to within half a mile. She struok at a quarter past five, and at a quarter before 6 a.m. the first boat was sent away. Tho first boat that tried to leave was carried away out of the davits. Soon after I got off, the women were carried to the forecastle, and at 2 p.m. the men began to lake to the rigging. Lights were burnt through the night, and about twenty-five minutes to three on Saturday morning I heard a loud shout, "Bring about." We could see the outline of a vessel before this, but nothing after. A large quantity of cargo, &s., was washed ashore. One of the oabin passengers (a man) came ashore about 4 p.m. on Saturday, but he died just as they hauled him on the beuch. A young girl oame aehore on the reef about 11 a,m. on Saturday. She was muoh disfigured about the face. We on shore could do nothing to assist them. I should think that there were about sixty in the fore cabin, and about twenty females in the eeoond ladies' cabin. I shipped at Auckland for Melbourne, and have lost everything except what I stood up in. After the boat was upset I was turned over several times. I oould not swim all the time, but had to wait for a smooth wave, and then strike out. After I got to the shore I. saw several persons clinging to pieces of wreck, but as they got near the beach they fell off, and I saw no more of them.

Antonio Mioallef said—l was chief oookof the Tararua. At 5 a.m. on Friday Mr Ellen, the chief steward, came to me and gave me his orders for the day. I dreeaed and went on deck, and heard the ship bump and strike. About ten minutes later she struok again, and the captain told the seoond officer to call all hands, which was done, and he afterwards gave orders to stop the engines. Mr Munro, the chief engineer, asked me to take oare of his little boy. I kept the child for about half-an-hour, and then Mrs Munro took him from me. I then went to the saloon and assisted the steward to get out the passengers. There were about five ladies and somo children. Pour of the children belonged to Dr and Mrs Campbell, who joined at Christchurch. The passengers were then removed from the poop to the smoking cabin, as the vessel was breaking up aft. Before this the captain had sent the second officer away in the boat to seek a landing place, and had fired two guns and three rockets. The chief officer's boat was then got out, and she left in oharge of Mr Lindsay, with his boat's crew and two passengers. When the tide went down Captain Garrard asked me to go below and cook some meat. I did so, and served out meat, potatoes, and coffee. Mr Ellen afterwards directed me to get some meat, bread, coffee, &0., ready for landing to supply to the people, and I did so, and as my galley was filling with water I went on deck. About 2 p.m. on Friday the ship was fast breaking up, and had driven further in shore. The captain then gave orders to carry the females to the foreoastle head. He carried them himself from the smoking room to the bridge, and we took them forward. We afterwards got on the foreoastle, and the captain said, " I have done all I can ; I have ao boat available. The tide will be out in another half hour, and I will try to do the beßt I oan." Immediately he ended speak'ng a heavy sea oame and carried away the dingy and cutter. We stood on the forecastle until another heavy sea struck her, and as there was a rush of passengers to tho side the rail carried away, and I and about 16 others fell overboard. The captain exclaimed "Oh, God, what are we to do now!" I picked up a young lady, a Hobart native, and managed to keep her afloat for abont five minutes, calling out for a rope, when a big sea struck us, and ahe was washed from my hold. I saw her no more. I then made for the shore, and encountered a lot of wreckage floating about. I got clear of it with great difficulty, and before I reached the beach I was nearly exhausted, and called out to one of the passengers ashore to help me. He pulled me out, put me on a sleigh, and laid me before a fire where I was supplied with a drop of brandy. After resting at the fire for half an hour I was taken to the farm, supplied with dry clothes and put to bed. This was about 5 p.m. on Friday. As I left I saw a lot of people in the rigging, viz., Mr Ellen, chief steward, James Warren, second steward, William Smith, pantry man, the second fore-cabin steward, J. Davidson, and the boy "Tommy." James Collins, the forecabin steward, was drowned. I saw soma firemen on the rigging. The sailors left on board were George Home and Hugh Poison. The captain made for the rigging. The engineers were on the foreoastle head. The third engineer, Mr Alexander Sutherland, had his leg broken in the morning by a sea. I am anxious to thank the kind people (who j were so good to ns all) for their generous treatment.

G. L. Lawrence—When the ship struck I went aft on the bridge, where I found the captain and both officers. The captain was giving orders to lower the boats. The seamen and firemen were steady and obeying orders, but the passengers were confused. Tho starboard boat was stove in, the port boat was then lowered, and the second mate lent away in charge. The captain asked me if I could swim, and if I would go in the boat and seo if I could get to land. There were four seamen in the boat. When we were about 500 yards from the ship, and about the same distance from the shore, the mate told me to stand by, and he would give me a chance to go ashore in a lull. I jumped, and had no trouble until I was in the surf, which was so heavy that I rolled over many times. I kept my senses, and at last got in on the top of a breaker. I was cold, so I ran about the beach to circulate the blood. When warm I made for a house about half a mile off, and aßked them to send a man to telegraph that the Tararua had struck, and required assistance. They sent a man on horseback at once. I returned to the beach as quickly as possible, and was iust in time to help ashore three out of tho six men who came in the seoond mate's boat on her second trip. I tried to go on the reef so as to get a line ashore there to land the passengers, but it was impossible to do anything. I was washed off, and went bock to the beach. The chief mate then tried to come in near enough to oast a line ashore, but his boat swamped. However, eight out of the nine that were in her landed safely, tho ninth was a little lamp trimmer, who had joined tho chip at Port Chalmers. After tha second mute stood out to tea we noticed that people were washed off Use forecastle head, and the party wont down to tho beach in two and threes to cee if any assistance oould hi i given to any who were washed where. One passenger (Rabins) succeeded in getting hold of the cook, who was put on a sledge and taken to the station. We built a fire on the beach, and loft two mon in charge of it while we went up to the station for food and dry clothes. We were there about an hour, when we heard cheering from the steamer. This we supposed to be an expression of delight at the poor creatures seeing a steamer standing towards the Bluff. At this time the forecastle head was clear, tho people having_ all taken to the rigging, where they were burning matches. We saw tho burning of matches occasionally till about eleven o'olook. About twenty-five minutes to three we heard shrieks from the vessel. Wo ran on to the beach, and hoard a

e yoico, supposed to be that of the captain'*, t singing out for a boat. That was what we e made out through the noise of the surf. That b was the last we heard of her. At daybreak 1 we saw that sho wag gone. The Kakanui i> r could not have got near the Tararua in any . case on account of the surf. Wo walked i about tho bench to Inok for traces of bodies i at different times. We picked up a young woman about seventeen and a young man i about twenty-five. The girl's body was left i on shore in charge of tho mate. A youngfellow wus seen fighting his way through the surf with n lifo buoy, but he lost the life buoy and died just as wo pulled him ashore. The body brought by the Hawea has been recognised as that of a Swede named Anderson, from tho Oarriok Btinges, aged about fifty. Ko had been stopping for some days at Bong's boarding-house, Port Chalmers. The following is the LIST OP PASSENGEES. Saloon. ,_. _ , Destination. Dr. Campbell, Mrs Campbell, five children und female servant... London ~ „ (pw Orient.) Mr S. E. Gillingham London Mr J. Watovhoube Melbourne *2J r ||.oonn« Melbourne *Mr E. Mitchell „ *Rov. .T. Arnitge ..'.' ",' „ *iie.Y. J. B. Kiohardson „ *l'heso lour wers members of the Wesleyas Conference. MrC Gongh London Mr John M. Dean Mr Crawford „ Mr John Gordon London Kev. WaterhoiißG Melbourne Mrs W. B. Jones (the purser's wife) „ Steerage. Mr Wm. Toung London ilr Jas. Wallace „ Mr Ben. Hanson ~ Mr and Mre Wm. Hill and child „ Mr C. Carlber/sr „ Mr Thos. Jones „ Mr W. Green ... Melbourne Mr W. Baesett Mr Lawrence Bluff Mr Sharp „ Mr Boyle ~ Mr Neil (louph ~ Mr J. Ashworth Melbourne Mr Wm. White London Mr J. Scoon „ Passengers from Dunedin. Mr Danl. Davies „ Mrßayley Bluff Mr and Mrs Bryant Hobarfc Saloon— Mr W. O. Bsmsay. Steerage—Messrs A. Bae, G. Grey, J. Voung, P. Anderson, W. Dobson, J. Dobeon, J. Bambridee, H. A. Cook, C. Shevar, M. Dowdall, A. N. <J. Andrew, John Barry, Wright, G. Bobins, G. Martin, Martin Anderson, Bobt. Brown, J, O. Eva Melbourne Passenger from Auckland. Miss Mary Kelly Hobart Passenger from Auckland. Saloon. Mr Wm. Bell Melbourne Steerage. Mrs Denz, Mr Cbatterton and Sarah (sic) Passenger from Tauranga. Saloon. Mrs Brennan and three children... Hobart Passenger from Napier. Steerage. Mr J. Daly Melbourne Passengers from Wellington. Steerage. Mr Penman Bluff Saloon—Mr C. Burgett, Mr 8. T. B. Marsh, Mr and Mrs E. W. M. Downes Melbourne Steerage. Mesprs Thalin, T. O'Snllivan, Williams, Chas. Holt, T. Davis. Officers, Ac. Master, P. G. Garrard; chief officer, B. Lindsay; second officer, E. Moloney; chief engineer, Alex. Munro ; second engineer, Alex. Livingstone; third engineer,"Andrew Sutherland ; purser. W. B. Jones; carpenter, John Morrison; chief steward, C. Allen ; Ktewardsss, Miss Aitken ; crew (so far as known)—E. Johnson, T. Dixon, C, Stewart, P. Deraz, J. Gibb, E. McDavitt, D. Corbet, Frank Bohls Armi, stead, Wm. Brion, Wm. Pmitb, W. Collins, Chas. Silva, J. Westcn, J. Bnrnett, G. Koran, T. Nicholson, H. Poison, W. Adams, A. Armi. stead, Jas. Maher, Jas. Warren, Bobert Burwood, T. Haynes, W. Davidson, A. Micallef, and four unascertained names.

Note.—Mr Anstey, who had booked for Ducedin, postponed starting. Mr L. Rodgera, of Invercargill, was not a passenger, having miesed his passage at Port Chalmers. Mr G. Wiltshire's name must be added to the above list, as he joined the Tararua at Wellington. LIST OF THE SAVED. The following is a corrected lilt of the survivors from the wreck : Crew—Kobert Lindsay, chief officer; Peter Maloney, second officer; James Burnett, A. 8.; Edward Johnson, A.B. ; Charles Stewart, A.B. ; Torqucl Nicholson, A. 8.; Franz D-inz, A.B. ; John Weston, A.B. y Thomas Dixon, A. 8.; Franz Bohel, fireman ; John Maher, fireman; Antonio Micallef, chief cook. Passengers—William Hill, steerage ; John. Chatterton, steerage; Georgo Lawrence, steerage ; Henry Deely, steerage ; George Robins, steerage; Thomas Davis, steerage; John Williams, steerage ; Gustavo Telllen, steerage. It will be, therefore, seen that the report that Mrs Hill was saved is without foundation. EXPRESSIONS OF SYMPATHY. AUCKLAND, April 30. Great sorrow is felt at the loss of the Tararua. The passengers from Auckland on board wore Miss Kelly for Hobart, and Mr Bell, brother to Mr 8011, architect, of Auckland. WELLINGTON, April 30. The news of the Tararua catastrophe caused a profound sensation here. The shipping in. harbor lowered their flags half-mast as a. mark of respect to those who had met with, their untimely death. TIMABTT, May 1. Four or five of the Tararua*e passengers were old residents of this district. General grief is felt at the terrible nature of the disaster. INVEBOABGILL, May 1. A largely attended meeting of citizens was held this (Sunday) afternoon in the readingroom of the Athor.Tum to consider what might be done by the people of Invercargill in the matter of the Tararua disaster. His Worship the Mayor presided. Mr Wade, solicitor, moved the appointment of a committee to proceed to the scene of the wreck, with authority to take such steps as they might deem necessary or desirable to relieve the sufferers. The committee, sixteen volunteers, was appointed accordingly. Another committee of six was formed, on the motion of Mr Kingsland, with the Mayor as. its head, for the purpose of raising suoh funds as might be required, and in order that there might be some properly constituted authority for the members of the first committee and others to communicate with as ocoasion required. The tone of the meeting was one of great sympathy with those who have suffered by the calamity, and universal regret was expressed that the erroneous nature of the first telegram from Wyndhara, whioh announoed that the passengers bad all been landed, had lulled public apprehensions and prevented prompter action. WIDOWS OF WESLEYAN MINISTEES. In accordance with the provisions which form a portion of the system which obtains in the Wesleyan Methodist Ohuroh, thewidows of the Bovs. Messrs Biohardson and Armitage, and their families, will remain m their parsonage homes for one year, and will be paid the stipends that would, in the usual courso of events, hare accrued to their late husbands during that period. On the year's expiration, the annual peiiFion to be paid to Mrs Richardson will bo nearly £6O; and for etch of her children (of whom there are five) under sixteen ycere ot age, an annual sum of eight guineas will be paid, making a total of about £IOO a rear. In the case of Mre Armitagc<. die provision will not bo so large, her late husband having joined tho Woßleyan. Ministry at a comparatively recent date. FATAL THRIFT. A paeeorger by tho ill-fated Tararua, named John G-oraon, who ie numbered with the lust, wan en route tor London with tho intention of being united in marriage with a ludy to whom bo had been engaged some time. Prior to hie departure, it is related that be called at one of Lho Banks, and aßked the rate of commission they would charge for the transmission of £l4O to London. He, however, ultimately determined to save the ohargos, and accordingly bought a gold-digger's belt, oarefully stowing the amount in sovereigns therein, and wearing tho belt constantly. The result of his penurioußneos is that tho whole sum has gone to the bottom, whilst, had it been sent Home in the usual way, his relatives would have benefited by the sad catastrophe.