OTAGO.

Wellington Independent, Issue 2178, 11 March 1865, Page 7

OTAGO.

Oun files from tins Province are to the 4th SEIUOI T S ACCIDENT TO TIIK S.S. "WILLIAM MIS.KIJN' WITH LOSS OF LIFE. A very serious accident occurred to tlic s.s. William JYliskin during the passage from Waikava to the Molyneux. The Olayo Mail of the dlli ins!;,, gives the following account of it : — " She left that port at one o'clock in the afternoon, bound for the Molyneux. A strong breeze was blowing at the time, accompanied with a heavy sea. For nearly an hour all vent well, and during that time she was making way through the water under 251 b steam, her topsails being at the same time set. At ten minutes to two, however, the boiler exploded, and the vessel was instantly enveloped in steam. The shock is said to have been a slight one, but its effect upon those in the vicinity of the boiler, and upon the vessel itself, were of a very serious nature, although it is matter for wonder that the vessel and all on board were not utterly destroyed. At the time of the accident the engineer and two iiroineu occupied the en-gine-room, and the attention of those who had escaped injury was instantly directed towards them. They were quickly brought on deck, and they were then found to haA r e been severely scalded, and they suffered much. They were placed in the cabin, and every attention paid to them. One of them especially, the stoker, named Wilson, suffered greatly. He lingered till twelve o'clock at night in great pain, when death put an end to his agonies. The attention of the crew was then directed to the vessel itself, which began to make water very fast. The pumps were kept in constant operation during the night, and ultimately, Avith considerable exertion, Dunedin harbor was reached, when the two injured men, Andrew Eagley and James Smith, and the body of Wilson, were brought ashore, liaglcy and Smith are now having their injuries attended to in the hospital, and the body of deceased lies at the Supreme Court Hotel. Jiagley is much injured about the face, and Smith about the hands and feet. We are glad to say that in their case no serious consequences are appre- ■ hended. We understand that an inquest : will be held this day on the body of Wilson." At the sittings of the Supreme Court on ; the 2nd iust., the Grand Jury found a true : bill against William Andrew Jarvcy, for I poisoning his wife. The trial had not taken : place when the mail closed. We understand, says the Dull?/ Times, \ that there is a rumor of rich gold workings i having been discovered during the last fow > days on the ranges westward of Silver Stream.