ACCIDENTS, ETC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10036, 24 January 1896, Page 1 (Supplement)

ACCIDENTS, ETC.

DREADFUL FATALITY AT KAIPARA. TEN PERSONS DROWNED. Lamentably mauy have been the drowning accidents this season. But the saddest of all occurred in the waters of the Kaipara, on Saturday, Jan. 11, when, according to information received in Auckland, next day, no less than temperßona losb their lives.

The names of thoso drowned are :— Mrs. Mary Pfckine, wife of Mr. E, Perkins.

Miss Jessie Perkins, daughter, aged 21. Miss Nellie Perkins, daughter, aged 17*' Harold Perkins, son, aged 14. Lottie Perkins, daughter, aged 10. Mr. Armstrong and his son, who have been resident in the district off and on for about a year. Mr. Beswarick,..formerly a resident) of. Oatnaru.

Miss Josephine Macdermotb, aged 19, daughter of Mr. W. J. Macdermotb, of the Herald composing staff. In the calamity ib will thus be seen Mr. Perkins lost his wife and four children,.

Mr. Beswarick and Miss Macdermotb "wero" "only visitors to the district, the former having accepted an invitation to visit Kaipara. Miss Macdermotb, with her parents' consent, went up to Glorit on Friday previous, with Miss Jessie Perkins, for a fortnight's holiday, both intending to return to town at tho end of the holidays.

Next morning additional information came to hand, viz., thab Miss Minnie Palmer, a girl of aboub ten years of age, only daughter of Mr. W. Palmer, settler in the district, was nmongsb those drowned; while Mr. Edwards, also living in the district, had succeeded in swimming ashore. This fixed the number of the boat's occupants ab 11, and the number drowned ab 10.

Ib is stated thab Mr. Armstrong, who was aboub 30 years of age, and who was one of the drowned, had emigrated to the colony from Manchester; thab being in delicate health he had come to the North in search of open-air employment and that he leaves a widow without any friends in New Zealand.

Ibis believed that Mr. Beswarick leaves a widow and some eight or nine children in Oamaru.

Miss Jessie Perkins was shortly to have been married to Mr. J. Ramsay, dairy farmer, of Paeroa. She was in tho employ of Mrs. Alfred Nathan, of Princoa-streob, and had gone home for a holiday, All accounbs received confirm the) information that Mr. Thomas Edwards did all he could to rescue his companions, and thab he himself, the only survivor of the eleven who went oub in- the boat thab Saturday afternoon, had a desperate struggle for life.

Information was received on Jan. 17 by Inspector Hickson from Districb Constable Thompson, of Porb Albert, and alio from private parties, that the missing boat was recovered on Jan. 16 and two more bodies on Jan. 17, namely those of Mrs. Perkins and' Mr. Beswarick, of Oamaru. They were found about six miles from where the boat capsized, near Moburimo Island, and were both gob in the Tauhoa Channel. Our Tauhoa correspondent telegraphed that the body of Mr. Armstrong was found on January 19, two miles from where the boat was capsized. As the greater number, if nob all, of the ten victims of the accident belonged to the sect known as tho Church of Christ, special memorial services were held in the Church of Chrisb Meeting-house, corner of Cook and Hobson Streets, on Jan. 19. A very largo congregation assembled, and there was apparent throughout a deep, earnest, and heartfelt sympathy with the bereaved friends.

Our own correspondent ab Tauhoa sends the following account of the catastrophe :— A pleasuro party consisting of Mrs. E. Perkins, three daughters and one son, Miss Palmer, Mr. Thomas Edwards, Mr. Armstrong and son, Miss Macdermott, of Auckland, and a gentleman from the South Island, had been spending the day on the little Island of Moto Rimu- Shortly after starting tor home the sail jibed, and before anyone knew exactly what had occurred, the boat was bottom upwards. Edwards made heroic efforts to save his companions, but without success. When nothing more could be done he undressed in the water and started to swim ashore with the little boy Armstrong on his back, bub just before reaching land the little fellow let go his hold and sank. Edwards' succeeded in reaching -the shore in a very exhausted condition, where he lay in the rushes on the bank till daylight. He again took the water, swimming across the mouth of the Hoteo River, and reached the Perkins* homestead with the sad news of the disaster.

In spite of the strong-wind blowing, and his excessive fatigue, he again started with Mr. R. Jones to the scene of the disaster, and succeeded iu recovering two of the bodies of his late companions. Several search parties are now out, .but there are no.fresh discoveries, THE INQUEST. A coroner's inquest was held on Jan. 14, ab Glorib, by Mr. Shepherd, coroner for the district), on the body of Nellie Perkins. ..

Thos. Edwards, the sole survivor, stated he left'the landing with a boab containing eleven persons, including the deceased. Mr. Armstrong and he pulled half-way across, hoisted the sail, and reached the island of Mobu Rimu. (aboub six miles) in 2 hours. They spent the day there, and started bo return 5 p,m,, hoisting the sail before starting. }. All the-' party gob in,_ Mr. Arm* strong Doing the lasb, and had sailed halfachain from the island when they ! tried to. jibe. Witness called to thorn to shift to

not, and the boat went too far over to right herself, and immediately filling, all wore thrown into the water, the boat being on her side. He got the females on to the boab by swimming after them. As soon as one of them gob on another dropped off. Mr. Armstrong, his boy, Harold Perkins, and himself, were the only ones lefb with the boat, which ' drifted a chain further from the island : firab named had a boy on his back, and let go the boat, when he wend down. The boy then came back. Witness *c< told Harold to undress and koep to tho..(;-.'. boat, while he swam ashore with Edgar ('•' Armstrong, bub Harold would nob. He ' endeavoured to swim five or six chains with ■■* Edgar on his back, bub the boy -kept getting on his head and shoulders, to let go. Harold kept up a little while, but soon said " good-bye." Witness then swam ashore quite exhausted. After test* ing, swam across the Hoteo River teethe landing, and met Mr. Perkins and others. The coroner addressed the jury, .who retired to consider' tlioir verdict, which they brought in as follows:—" That Nellie Perkins met death by accidental drowning. _ The jury have to express their ap« preciation of tho brave and unselfish action of Mr. Thos. Edwards in endeavouring to save the lives of others at extreme risk to himself. They think that in this case, ns in a greab many others at holiday times, the boat was rather overcrowded." After the inquest, a short service was conducted by Messrs. Bull and Latimer at the residence of Mr. Perkins, and Mr. Vickery expressed a few appropriate words at the graves, the bodies being interred Bide by side in the ground set apart for the cemetery. The settlers showed their sympathy by attending in large numbers. Aboub 100 were present, some- coming over 1 60 miles.

THE HALCIONE WRECKED AT WELLINGTON. Wellington, January 9. At three o'clock this morning news was" received that the barque Ualcione, from London, bound for this port, was ashore at the Heads. Tho vessel made Pencarrow light about 8.30 last night. The wind, which had been northerly, had then changed to tho south, blowing hard, with fiashes.of lightning, and rain was falling.

Tho barque was close to the land on the eastern side of the lighthouse, and shortly afterwards she was struck by a squall, and ran on the rocks in a dangerous position, A heavy swell was running, and Captain Boorman ordered tho boats to be cut away. One of the boats was launched with considerable difficulty, and was manned by Mr. Joynt, chief officer, and a crow of five.! They came on to Wellington, after an arduous pull in a heavy sea, and reached town drenched, and requested assistance for the disabled vessel.

The s.s. Mana was dispatched as soon ns possible, having on board Captain Bendall, secretary of the Underwriters' Association.

The s.s. Mana returned from tho wreck this morning. She was unable to gob within a couple of cables length of tho Halcione, which Captain Bendall declare* is a hopeless wreck, being full of water, and with seas breaking over her. . A second boat was launched successfully,, but on nearing the shore it was smashed: again the rocks. The occupants wars thrown into the water, but all managed to scramble aßhore safely. They then walked about four miles to a small bay on tho harbour side of Pencarrow Lighthouse, where they were picked up by the Mana and brought on here. Owing to tho high sea running none oE the officers or men had an opportunity to save any personal effects, but Captain Boorman managed to rescue tho ship's* papers, which he fastened to his waist. Tho following is a list of the officers and crew :—Captain, Boorman ; chief officer, Mr. Joynb (of Christchurch) ; second officer, Mr. Parmer (of Blenheim); third officer, Mr. Wheeler (of London); carpenter, E. Thington ; sailmaker, A. Laraen ; steward, Taylor; cook, Neith; apprentices, Trapp, Collyer, Thompson, and Davis; crew, Curtis, McDougall, Ewing, Chambers, Beaumont, Logan, and Freeman. Captain Boorman is well known, having previously commanded the Lady Jocelyn, Lyttelton, Euterpe, Akaroa, and Oamaru, all of which traded to the colony. At ten o'clock to-night it was reported from the signal station at the Heads that the Halcione had gone completely to pieces, and the sea in the vicinity of the Heads was strewn with wreckage and cargo. A number of labourers are securing the Cargo as it comos ashoro. The insurances on tho cargo, so far as can be ascertained are: Victoria, £1600 ; South British, £1200; National, £1000; China Traders, £500; Commercial Union, £500. ' January 10. The barque Halcione has disappeared altogether. Heavy grinding on the reel had apparently torn the bottom out of her.; All yesterday afternoon a considerable, quantity of cargo drifted about betwoont Barrett's reef and the western ledge. To-' day the wind changed, and, being off shore, what cargo is afloat is being driven seawards.

The beach is strewn with wreckage and cargo, which is being secured by a salvage party. The secretary of the Underwriters' Association proceeded to tho- scene this afternoon.

At Wellington on Monday the hull and gear' of the wrecked barque Haleione were sold by auction, and realised £14 10a. Three boat a brought a similar amount. A magisterial inquiry into the wreck of the Haleione took place at Wellington on Jan. 15. The evidence was much the eamo as the published account of the disaster. The finding of the Court was that the casualty: was caused by accident through stress ol weather, without any neglect or default on the part of the captain or crew. The Crown will bear the costs of the inquiry.

A lamentablo misadventure took place at the City Saltwater Baths about half-past five o'clock on Saturday, Jan. 4, by which a boy named Absolom Shoehan, aged 13, lost his life. On Jan. 6, at the Robert Burns Hotel, an inquest was held before Dr. Philson, coroner, and a jury of six, Mr. J. T. Anderson acting as foreman. After hearing the evidence, the jury returned a verdict of" accidental drowning." A son of Mr. W. Tapp, of Onehunga, died at eleven o'clock on January 7. During the afternoon of that day he was amusing himself on the pump at the Captain Springs, when he fell on to the rocks below, and sustained injuries to his head, which m suited in his death.

James Young, aged 22, while bathing in the Ihumata Creek, Mangerej on Jan. 3, gob oub of his depth and was drowned. Ab the inquest on Saturday, the 4th of January, the jury returned the following verdict:--"That the deceased, Jamea Young, was accidentally drowned in the Manukau waters, Ihumatao, between tho hour of eleven p.m. and midnight on Friday, January 3, 1896." The jury were also of opinion that Hugh McKenzie's conduct in, striving to save the deceased is deserving of great praise." A serious accident occurred at Th»mes on Jan. 17 to Mr. John Townsend, an old resident of the town. He is the owner of a farm at Hikutaia, and went out to superintend the carting of some bay. He took, however, an active parb in the work, and just as ho had a load finished, and while ha was standing on the top of it— heigho from the ground of between 20 and 25 feet - the horse made a move. The Jerk overbalanced Mr. Townsend, and he fell to the ground backwards, receiving injuries, as' was thought at tho time, and afterwards confirmed, to his spine. He never moved from where ho lay. In facb he had losb all use of his hands, and ib was very, necessary to exercise the greatest care in moving him to the buggy, which had been procured. He was ultimately made as comfortablo as possible and driven into town to the Hospital, where he now lies in a.semi* unconscious state. ; .."','. '; "

Two boys named Becker were drowned in Id»Valley,nearClyde,on Dec. 30. The boys were 14 an.d 11 years of age. They were working in a shearing shed, and after tea went v for a;; bathe. Not returning, 'search was made, and nexb morning tbeit bodies wore recovered. ••■■'<". - A farmer named Henry Squire was drowned in thePareora,titer, near Tjm,aju\ < SAtylSritf JiM|l7t ifl ., ~..L:-\".^ r .

An old miner in Westporb, named Georpe Bull, was drowned in the Mokihinul River on Jan. 17. He was crossing with two mates, Williamson and Jensen, in a fiat-bottomed boat to his work, when the' boat ran on a rock and was swamped. Wiiliamson and Jensen managed to swim ashore, bat Bull, who was unable to swim, was carried over a fall and drowned. He was unmarried. Tho body has nob boon recovered.

C. White, porter at Rangiora Railway Station, who was hurt by being run over by a train, died from his injuries on January GO. A sad bathing accident happened at Gisborne on January 15*. Three nurses ab the Hospital, Misses Sheffield, Brown, and Tisher, wont to bathe in the Taruheru River, close to tho Hospital. Nurse Sheffield got out of hor depth, and being unable to swim was drowned, Tho others made brave but futile effort to rescue her. The body has been recovered. Tho girl was aged 25. Her parents live at Pokeno, noar Auckland. A sad drowning accident occurred noar Masterton, on New Year's Day. Two lads named Walter and Reuben Harris, aged nine and seven, sons of Mr. Walter Harris, a well-known settler, went out rabbit) hunting after breakfast. As they did nob return to tea search was mado and their clothes were found on the bank of the Waipoua River. A liolo in the river was dragged, and both bodies were recovered about midnight. From marks on the bodies it is evident that one of the lads was in danger of drowning and the other little fellow going to his rescuo was pulled under and the two were drowned.

The landlord and boarders at tho Victoria Hotel, Victoria-street, experienced a great ihock on December 29th owing to the awfully sudden death of Mr. Michael Kielly, who dropped dead at the tea table at about five minutes to six o'clock. An inquest was held at Gleeson's Hotel, Customsstreet, on December 30th. Dr. Lindsay, who held a post mortem examination on the body of deceased, stated that death had been caused by a " rupture of the aorta bursting into the gullet and filling the stomach," and a verdict to that effect was returned by the jury, Mr. Edward Percy acting as foreman.

During the passage of the barque Tillie Baker from New York, when off Western Australia a sailor named Harry Wyberg was washed ovorboard. A nor'-west gale was blowing, and nothing could be done to save the unfortunate man. He was aged 37, and a native of Sweden.

A boy aged 12, son of Mr. Herman Bempleman, was drowned while bathing near the railway bridge, Kaiapoi, on Jan. 1. The body was recovered in about 20 minutes, but life was extinct.

Another sad drowning accident, the third which has happened in the neighbourhood of Wellington within the last few days, happened at Island Bay on January 2. Tho circumstances are that two youne ladies, named Miss Olive Goldfinch, about 17, daughter of the late Mr. J. M. Goldfinch, chief clerk in the Police Department), and Miss Lillio Brown, daughter of Mr. S. Brown, Hanson street, went to bathe off the rocks along Queen's Drive, about 200 yards distant from the Island Bay Hotel. By some misadventure they both got into deep water and sank. The accident was seen by Masters Harold Von Dadelszen and Percy Kinniburgh, students at the Wellington College. Von Dadelszen went in and eventually succeeded in bringing Miss Brown safely ashore exhausted, bub alive. Her companion had sunk out of sight. Young Kinuiburgh dived and recovered the body of Miss Goldfinch, bub although remedies were promptly used ib was too late to save life. Both lads showed bravery worthy of the highest commendation.

A boy named Albert Foote, aged 10, was drowned at Kilbirnie on Jan. 4. He was unable to swim, and was carried by a strong current into deep water.

At Stanley Brook, Napier, on the 2nd of January, a young woman aged 19, named Mary Annie Biggs, had a sunstroke and died soon afterwards.

Charles Ainsworth, sawmiller, aged 45, was drowned while bathing in a water-hole at Rata, near Marton, on New Year's Day, He leaves a widow and three children.

A married woman named Hannah How wag found in the Avon River on the 6th of January. At the inquest, a verdict of " Found drowned" was returned.

The body of a swagger about forty years of age was found in an unoccupied tenement in a lonely locality at Southland. There was nothing to lead to identification. The hair had fallen away from the head, and it is thought the body must have lain there some months.

A young man named Arthur Vine, employed all Box Cowell on the Canonbar Station, was crossing the Cowell on horseback on December 24 when the horse sank. Both the lad and ths horse were drowned.

A three-year-old daughter of Mr. 0. Cummings, draper, Hawera, was severely burned on January 9 owing to her clothes catching fire through the child playing with matches. She died from her injuries.

About midnight on January 10 an elderly man, in whose pocket was found a paper bearing the name of "J. O'Brien, Tinakori Road," fell off the breastwork of Waterloo Quay, Wellington. He was gob out of the water by the captain and chief officer of the ketch Rock Lily, and for three hours efforts to restore animation were continued without avail. O'Brien was a grocer living in Tinakori Road. He was soarried and leaves a widow and daughter. William Hugo, of minstrel f ime, who was admitted to Masterton Hospital on Jan. i, died on January 10th. The cause of death was concussion of the brain. How the injuries were obtained is a mystery, as, owing to the condition of the man, no depositions were taken. From broken abatements made to the custodian of the hospital, it would appear that Hugo was injured in a row, but whether at Wellington or Masterton is nob certain. The inquest on Hugo was concluded on January 16th. The jury returned a verdict thafc the medical evidence showed that deceased died from extravasation of the brain, caused by an injury received in Masterton, bub there is no evidence as to how he came by the injury.

Wm. Home, a young man who was admitted to the Christchurch Hospital a fow days ago suffering from' sunstroke, died on January 7.

A young man named Albert Edward Pox was drowned in the Wairau River on Dec. 29 when bathing.