NELSON.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 701, 21 May 1879, Page 2

NELSON.

This Day. Laurence Lenney, and his son, a lad aged 17, who arrived at Nelson on Sunday from Jackson's Bay m a whaleboat roughly decked, report the most perilous voyage on record m this part of the world. The distance they went m this small boat, 28ft long, 7ft beam, and 3ft depth of hold, was about 400 miles, along the most dangerous coast.. They left Arawata, with the object of reaching Hokitika, and there fitting out and obtaining appliances to start a fishing station. On the fifth day out, the wind being light and variable, they reached Peorrerunga, and there went ashore and rose the cabin part of their deck a few inches to enable them to sit upright below. On the sth of May they again started for Hokitika, calms having delayed them. On the 8 feh May they anchored off Hokitika, where they rode at anchor all next day. The s.s. Waipara spoke them there, and Captain Bignell kindly offered to take the men off their boat, but rather than lose her they declined his offer. They were, however, indebted to him for a loaf of bread and a piece of mutton, they having started originally with but ten days' provisions. Gn the 9th instant the sea was breaking very close to them, and they were signalled to put to sea, and with the loss of their anchor they ran for Westport, but the sea was so rough on the bar that they were compelled to run before the south-west gale, as they were making abotit five inches of water per hour. On the 11th of May they were off Cape Farewell, and after beating about reached the Tata Islands on the 44th, where they obtained provisions, and after waiting a favorable wind arrived at Nelson. They had no water when they reached the Tatas, and a loaf of bread and piece of mutton, supplemented by some mussels that were m the boat as fishing bait, was all the food they had for six days. The men, who were accompanied by a dog, were completely exhausted on their arrival at Nelson. They contemplate starting fishing at the French Pass, instead of returning to Jackson's Bay.

Mr. Adams, landlord of the Bay View Hotel, died suddenly at Happy Valley yesterday. A post mortem examination is to be held.