FATAL ACCIDENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6897, 25 March 1884, Page 2

FATAL ACCIDENTS.

(Pkb United Peess Association.)

Patea, March 24,

A distressing occurrence happened here on Saturday night. Miss Gardner, stewardess of the s.s. Waverley, and two young men named William Mitchison and Thomas Lawrence, were proceedipg to the vessel after witnessing Blondin's performance. The night was excessively dark, and when the three were walking along the wharf Lawrence, who was on the outside, walked off the wharf. In doing so he got hold of Miss Gardner, and to save herself she in turn caught Mitchison, and tho three fell. Mitchison endeavoured to save Miss Gardner, but was unable to do so. Mitchison managed to get out, very much exhausted, and gave the alarm. A party at once proceeded to the spot and .commenced dragging. After about half an hour's'work the body of Lawrence was recovered closa to where he fell in. Miss Gardner was found next morning about a quarter of a mile down the river. While the work of dragging was going on in the darkness, a man named Quinn fell off the wharf, striking the woodwork, and was with great difficulty rescued. An inquest was held to-day on the bodies of Katherine Gardner and Thomas Lawrence, drowned on Saturday. A verdict of accidental death was returned, a rider being added to the effect that the railway authorities, who have control of the wharf, should provide lights at night, also life-buoys and grapplingirons, in case of emergencies occurring.

Wanganui, March 24,

At 11.30 to-day two fishermen, named Brittain and Scotmore, were drowned. They had crossed the bar outwards at 7.30, and noticing a squall coming, made for the river. The boat capsized, and the men sank before the pilotboat could render assistance. Brittain was a married man, with three children, his wife being in the Asylum. Scotmore was single, and aged C 2.