PORT MOLYNEUX.

Otago Witness, Issue 1764, 12 September 1885, Page 13

PORT MOLYNEUX.

September 8. — Boat Accident. — A boat accident happened on the bar of the river here on the evening of the 31st ult. Two men, named Frederick Wildermott and Walter Summerell, who had been employed on Watson's contract on the CaUin's River railway, left their work on Monday morning to take delivery of a boat from Mr G. Smith, of Nugget Point. It was their intention to bring the boat from the Nuggets into the river (a distance of about seven miles) for the purpose of effecting some slight repairs. On their way from Port Molyneux to the bay under the Nuggets, wh<n-e the boat was lying, they called at the house of a settler for the purpose of borrowing a pair of oars. The settler warned them against attempting to enter the river, a 6 the tide was not suitable, and the management of the boat (which was of considerable size) was rather beyond the power of two men. They were seen to .leave the beach with the boat between 1 and 2 o'clock, and row northward toward Port Molyneux, and about five o'clock several persons observed them making for the mouth of the river, evidently intending to cross the bar. Before reaching the entrance, however, they found that they were too far south, and turning the boat's head seaward, they pulled in a northerly direction for a short distance, when they again made for the bar. This time, a breaker striking her, the boat turned broadside on, and was then lost sight of by those on .shore. Not seeing anything of the boat, and hearing screams, the onlookers hastened down to the buach, close to the bar. In about five minutes the boat reappeared about half a mile out with but one occupant, who was making signals for help by waving portions of his clothing and shouting. The boat was then drifting in an easterly direction. The persons who witnessed the occurrence from the shore, apparently coming to the conclusion that nothing could be done, cooly made for home. This morning one of their number, however, went along the beach, procured a boat, and rowed to a schooner lying at anchor under the Nuggets, when on inquiring, ascertained that those on board had neither seen or heard anything of the castaway, He then went to the lighthouse and reported the accident to the head keeper. Mr Allan, under-light keeper at the Nuggets, states that about 9 o'clock on Monday evening while on duty he heard cries in the direction of the ocean. He called out asking if anyone was in distress, but could get no distinct reply. On going off duty the following morning Mr Allan searched the rocks below the lighthouse but found no traces of anyone. From Mr Allan's statement it may be concluded that the boat containing the unfortunate man has drifted in a southerly direction past the Nuggets, and up to the time of writing nothing has been heard of either the boat or its occupant. The conduct of those persons who were witnesses of the accident contrasts unfavourably with that of the gallant young Maori, Wm. Potiki, who, a few months back risked his life to save others barely a mile from the locality of the sad affair above described.