FOUR LIVES LOST.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 93, 21 April 1908, Page 5

FOUR LIVES LOST.

COLLISION IN DUNEDIN

HARBOUR

STEAMER RUNS INTO A

LAUNCH

IJPEESS ASSOCIATION.]

DUNEDIN, April 19. A serious collision occurred in the Lower Harbour at a late hour on Saturday night, resulting it is feared, in the loss of four lives.

A large number of members of the Naval Artillery were camped at the Heads for the Easter manoeuvres, and some of them were returning to camp about 11 p.m. '"■ When opposite Pulling Point the launch tried to cross the bow of the Government steamer Lady Roberts, but failed, and the steamer ran into her, throwing all in the launch into the water.

The following persons are missing: —Corporal Robert Slater, of Dunedin Naval Artillery, residing at Mornington, a son of Mr Robert Slater, late member of the Arbitration Court; Gunner Matthews, of Port Chalmers Naval Artillery; two lads (civilians) named M'Phee, whose parents reside at St. Kilda, but who were visiting the Heads at the time.

The following occupants of the launch were, picked up by the Lady Roberts, which remained -<in the vicinity of the disaster for an hour: Sergt. H. S. Montgomery, Sergt, Moir, Gunner Reeves, and Trumpeter Peters—all of the P/>rt Navals; Gunner Birchall, of the Dunedin Navals; Bandsman Thomson, of the Garrison Band; also the eldest boy M'Phee, George Thomson (civilian), of Maitland Street, and a Dunedin man known as Portuguese Joe, o.wner of the launch.

The Lady Roberts returned toPort Chalmers to secure the services of a doctor for two that were injured in the collision, and then returned to search for the bodies of those missing, but up to the present they have not bee^i recovered. Slater was 24 years of age and unmarried, and both the boys M'Phee, who are missing, were under fourteen. Gunner Matthews was about 20 years of age.