LATEST FROM THE LAKE DISTRICT.
WRECK OF THREE BOATS. TWO LIVES LOST. (from our special correspondent.) Qiiccnsiown, 18th March, 1863 In accordance with instructions, I write you from here, though I have very little of importance to communicate. Tne first ite:n of news I got when I arrived was, that the steamer Nugget had struck on a reef outside Queenstown Bay, and became a total wreck. What astonished me a little was the manner in which people spoke of this unfortunate occurrence. One would say, "I am very glad of it;" another, " Good job," and so on. On inquiring, I learned that she was a boat totally unfitted for the trade, beinjj considerably too small, and not of near sufficient power to steam against the strong winds which sometimes prevail here. Another cause of ill feeling against this boat is the fact of a passenger having been lost overboard some time ago. Two
other boats have also been lo3fc,.one belonging to Messrs. Hill and Sraitliers—^t&» Almora — and the other, ibi&< iMaggifei Brown, the property of Mr. Hefctiam.? ! The wreck of the Almora, which took place at Halfway Bay. Was, unfortunately, attended with the loss of two lives. The accident is entirely attributable to overloading the boat. Messrs. Taverner and Sutherland, who keep the only store at the bay, used every exertion in their power, and succeeded in saving the greater part of the cargo, on which they now claim salvage. If the Almora had succeeded in getting 1 round a small point at the south end of the Bay, she would have been safe, as she would then be in smooth waier. Another boat, with a lady and gentleman on board, was saved by throwing overboard a large quantity of the cargo, which consisted of tea, sugar, flour, &c. Flights are so low at present — L 2 10s. per ton — 'hat the boatmen, in order to make the trade pay, overload their boats ! to a great extent, and I very much fear j i hat if the authorities do not look into this matter, many valuable lives will be lost. The steamer Wakatip, belonging to Messrs. C. N. Campbell and Co., has been launched, and arrived here safely. She is a fine boat, and has first-rate accommodation for passengers. She is a beautiful model, and by her run down under sail has proved herself a clipper. Yesterday being St. Patrick's Day, a r^atta took place in honor of the patron saint of the Emerald Isle at the other end of the Lake. I should think there were a lerge number of people there, as this end was quite d»-serted. Tlie Dunedin escort started yesterday with 0,5000z. The rush to the other end of the Lake is said to have turned out a " duffer," and the whereabouts of the party who are supposed to have found another goldfield within your Province has not yet been disooverpd.
LATEST FROM THE LAKE DISTRICT.
Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 39, 24 March 1863, Page 2
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