SATURDAY’S TELEGRAMS.

Patea Mail, Volume XI, Issue 132, 1 March 1886, Page 2

SATURDAY’S TELEGRAMS.

(REUTER —COPYRIGHT.) London, Feb. 24-j^H 'Liie failure of the Gb mrnerciffid of Adelaide lias not createdsurprise here, but it is expected that the Loutli • Australian loan, which was to have been placed on the market in April, will now be deferred. It is reported that there an- English depositors in the bank to the extent of £31)0,000. Feby. 25. The frozen mutton ex steamer Ruapehu i- realising s|d per lb. The colonial Bank shares and colonial stocks, which had slightly declined owing to the Commercial Bank of South Australia having stopped payment, have now recovered their usual price. The Daily News commends the attitude taken up by the Associated Banks in refusing to assist the Commercial Bank to tide over its difficulties. The Times fears that the heavy fail in prices of produce will result in other disasters. Mr 0. Y. Morgan, Liberal member for Batters a, who resigned his seat in consequence of bis being concerned in Government contracts, will again test the seat. Lord Granville has assured the AgentsGeneral that he will endeavour to prevent ony fresh annexation of the Pacific Islands by foreign powers. The position of the King of Greece is thought to be critical. INTIMK)IA)MAL. (11KUTKR —COPYRIGHT.) Melbourne, Feb. 26. The Board of Inquiry appointed to investigate the circumstances attendant upon the recent mishap to the Waihora completely exonerate the captain and officers of the vessel fromblame.Theboard further recommends that a survey be at once taken of the place-where the Waihora struck. INTEImiWfNCIAL. PRESS ASSOCIATION ] Gisborne, Feb. 26. The Manapouri arrived from Auckland at half-past one. and signals were made for a doctor. On the launch going off, it was found that a terrible accident had occurred. The vessel left Auckkr j|pf at 1. !o yesterday. At three o’clock the hatches were taken off to get a parcel in the hold fc r a larty passenger. On the removal of the batches, smoke issued in a large volume and flames. The smell was known to be from tlie smoke of some acid. Mr Morris, the chief officer, and some other men wont below to get the package before the fire communicatecf with the other cargo. Unfortunately, it took some time to get at the packages the men being compelled to breathe poisonous air for a long-period- Sometime after the package was got out, the. men became insensible, foaming at the mouths. A doctor was on board, and ~ did all he couhl till the arrival of the vessel. Before Dr Pollen, of Gisborne, could get on board, the chief officer was dead. The third mate, Mr Cook, was brought ashore, and taken to an hotel. He is not expected to recover. Five men were taken to the local hospital, and are all doing well. The other men on board received less injuries. The accident caused little commotion on board the vessel continuing her way without intenuption. Mr Booth,! < esident istrate, went out to hold an inquiry, but afterwards decided to hold it when the vessel reached Napier. It 'was most fortunate that the fire was discovered in the day, as if it had remained till darkness set in the consequences would have been disastrov s The vessel leaves for N a pier at noon. It is not considered that anybody else except the third mate is in danger. The weather down was extremely fine, little damage being done to the cargo, though some water was poured down the hold. The cause of the disaster was a small package of nitric or sulphuric acid, shipped at Sydney for Christchurch. The distinctive mark of tire nature of its contents was insufficiently prominent, the mark being simply the word <c Acid.’’ Such cargo is usually carried on deck, or just under the combing of the hatchway. The third officer, Mr Cook, is sinking fast, and the doctors say that he cannot last out the night. The rest are doing well. The second and fourth officers are uninjured. One of the men at the Hospital, named R. G. Lloyd, aged 25, died la(e last nigbt. He was a seamen. The othars are doing fairly well. Mr Lakei’, third officer —not Cook as previously tele- / graphed —is still living, but the doctors hold out no hopes of his recovery. At about 11 o’clock last night seven others were brought ashore. The following is a complete list of those ashore who are suffering from the accident: — Charles C A Laker, third mate; Edward King, 24 ; Richard Jackson, 33; Sydney Stringer, 23 : G Petersen, 24 ; J T Anderson, 26; 'W Richardson, 27; C Peterson, 27 ; John Grotty, 24; AW Lambert, 30 ; J Allen, 18. All these are seamen. The doctors expect all the men, with the exception of the third mate, to pull through. A meeting of the passengers of the Manapouri was held last nigbt. The Rev. Mr Cairns was chairman. The following resolutions were passed: — “ That the passengers express their liigli appaeciatton. of fclie services of the captain, oflreers, and crew of the ship in their successful endeavours to discover and remove the cause of the accident, and tender their heartfelt sympathies to the officers and crew who received injuries in doiug their duty. (2) That the passengers desire to record their deep regret at the death of the chief offiiccr (Mr Morris), who so nobly sacrificed Iris life in the heroic ji discharge of his duly. (3) That a letter of condolence be sent to Mrs Morris expressing appreciation of Mr Morris’s bravery and sympathising with her under her sad bereavement. (4) That a subscription list in aid of the officers and men, and those dependant on them

■who have suffered by the accident, be now opened, and that too proceeds be handed over to Captain Logan for distribution. (5) That the passengers ... desire to tender their sympathies to ‘ Captain Logan, under the trying cir--f cumst«|4cp..s. and express to him their approval of the pi'ompt and efficient measures taken for the suppression of the fire- (C) That a enmmittee, consisting of the Rev, Mr Cairns.Messrs J Blundell, Battley, and Maud, be appointed to carry tbe resolution into effect.” A sum of £SO was raised amongst the saloon passengers. Giseourne, Feb. 58. The third officer is doing very well, and all the others are progressing favourably. At the inquest on the, body of Lloyd, the seaman, yesterday afternoon, a seaman named Patersen and Dr Pollen were the only witnesses Patersen deposed that he went below with 16 others, and found the place full of smoko _ but no flame. While below he ' oraited, and all conghM severely. They had to go on deck at short intervals for air. He was below from 3.12 till 5.45, with intervals. He became unconscious soon after the work was over. ihe other men were already sick when ho came on deck (the last time. 4he witness said the acid must have got in the hold at Auckland. The third mate was in charge of the forehold. Dr Pollen, stated that death was caused by asphyxia caused through the capillary tubes above the lungs uccoming blocked through inflammation caused by inhalation of the fumes af nitric acid, which was a potent irritants of the internal partsf of Itaj- the body which come in contact, A moistened sponge over the mouth and nose would have been a partial preventative, but not wholly. The captain had told him that the smell being peculiar, he had directed that the men should wear a covering of cotton waste over the mouth, which some did and some did not. The jury, after a long determination, refused to give a verdict until further evidence as to stowing acid and whether there is any pa) pa bio negligence O’ l the part of aiqyono. The nquiry was adjourned till the return of the vessel from Melbourne. 4 his day Mr Laker, the third ullid-r oi the Manapouri, took a turn for the better, and strong hopes of his recovery were entertained, but yesterday afternoon he Grande: went a relapse, and spasams again set in, and the patient after suffering greatly for some hours died about midnight. All the men in the hospital are reported as doing well Auckland, Peby, 2fi. A deputation of local policy Isold cm in. the Government Insurance Association waited on Fir J. Vogel to-day. The deputation arose out of a meeting for the purpose of protesting agamst the Driver appointment, and alleged lavish expenditure in the purchase of costly sites, and the erection of expensive offices. The Hon. J. A. hole introduced the deputation, and a lengthy conversation ensued, lasting two hours, as to the business of the association, the purchase of properties, and the appointment of agents, Sir Julius Vogel replying at length to questions. A vole of thanks was accorded to Sir J. Vogel for the courteous reception and information afforded.