Untitled

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXV, Issue 1619, 22 February 1866, Page 3

Accidents on the West Coast.—Two accidents of a serious nature, and each resulting in a sacrifice of life, have occurred at Ross. On Sunday last, owing to the heavy wind prevailing, several trees on the flat were blown down, and one in falling struck the tent of an unfortunate digger who was quietly boiling his billy, all unconscious of danger, and killed him on the spot; across-beam, supporting the chimney of the tent, striking him with great violence. On Monday another man named Andrew Dilling, also living on the fiat, was eDgaged in cleaning a revolver when, by some means, as yet unexplained, it was discharged, and the contents lodged in his heart. An inquest in each case will beheld this day. During the gale on Sunday morning another tree was blown down, and a portion of it fell on a tent in which six men were soundly sleeping, but providentially they escaped uninjured. We received news last night of a fatal boat accident which occurred at the Grey yesterday. A party of six gentlemen, tempted by the smoothness of the bar, pulled outside towards the Gottenburg steamer; the boat capsized, and one of the party, Mr. Martin, of the Union Bank, was drowned. The rest were rescued. We have been unable to glean fuller particulars. The body of a man named Johnson has been discovered lying on the beach at the Grey, bearing marks of much violence, and indicating every suspicion of foul play. He is'known to have been in angry dispute with some parties previous to his being missed from his usual haunts, and the affair will be made the subject of strict judical enquiry.— Hokitika Advertiser, Feb. 14