James Melville Balfour, Esq., C.E., Marine Surveyor, William Hunter Reynolds, Esq., M.H.R., M.P.C., and Thomas Tayler, Esq., have been appointed to enquire and to report what lands, adjoining or near to the Town of Port Chalmers, suitable for the establishing and carrying on operations connected with shipping should be reclaimed from the sea. The inquiry is to include not only the present necessities of the Port, the cost of reclamation and the comparative suitability of the lands for operations incidental to shipping, but also the prospective requirements of the place and the preparation of plans and estimates of the reclamations. The Commission is appointed to continue to exercise all the powers competent to or devolving upon them during the pleasure of the Superintendent. -Otago Daily Times, 29/12/1863.
DEATH.
Balfour. — On Dec. 18, drowned by the upsetting of a boat in Timaru Roadstead, James Melville Balfour, Colonial Marine Engineer, youngest son of the late Rev. Lewis Balfour, D.D., of Colington, near Edinburgh, Scotland. Aged 38 years. -Wellington Independdent, 21/12/1869.
DEATH OF MR. BALFOUR.
When, in our last issue, we devoted a few lines to the expression of our regret at the loss which the colony had sustained in the untimely death of Mr Thomas Patterson, C.E., we little thought that it would so soon be our melancholy duty to record the death by drowning of one of Mr Patterson's professional colleagues, his most intimate friend, and one of the most amiable, esteemed, and eminent men in the colony, in James Melville Balfour, Colonial Engineer. Since his arrival in New Zealand with Mr Patterson and Dr Hector, several years ago, Mr Balfour has made numerous friends in every part of the colony, and these friends will all lament his most untimely fate. Those who did not know Mr Balfour so intimately as to come under the denomination of friends, were yet acquainted with his amiable, courteous, honest, and gentlemanly character; and his professional ability was as familiar in men's mouths as a household word. A pupil of Stephenson's, Mr Balfour early directed his attention to the marine branch of his profession, and although a very young man, he rapidly attained such eminence in it as to cause some surprise amongst scientific men at home at his accepting the situation offered by the Otago Government of a three years' engagement at a salary of £1000 a year. However, he did so, and his professional services to the province amply repaid it for the expense of his engagement, on the expiration of which he accepted the office of Colonial Marine Engineer, being allowed to retain his private practice as well. As head of the Marine Department, Mr Balfour has done good service to the colony, and his removal by the hand of death may be regarded as little else than a public calamity. About a month ago he went to Timaru to superintend the commencement of the Harbor works there, expecting to meet Mr Patterson, and with him return here to spend Christmas at his own home. On hearing Mr Patterson's fate, Mr Balfour determined to proceed to Oamaru to make arrangements for and attend his friend's funeral. With this view he left the shore to take passage by the steamer Maori, and what then occurred is told in the telegram which we issued as an Extra yesterday, and which is as follows: —
Timaru, Sunday, 5 p.m. Yesterday evening a number of passengers went off in surf-boat to the s.s. Maori, which, was lying in the roadstead; but when some distance from land the surf line fouled. A boat was then put off from the steamer, and the crew of the surf-boat, 14 in number, were safely transhipped, and started for the steamer. When within a few yards of the steamer, however, the boat capsized bottom upwards, and all hands were thrown in the sea. Most of them soon regained the boat, and some were saved by ropes and life belts thrown from the steamer. The shore life boat put off and rescued one man and some passengers who were clinging to the boat. All were saved except Mr. Balfour, Marine Engineer, and Mr. Smallwood, who were drowned. Among the other passengers were Messrs. G. B. Parker, Joel (Dunedin), Malcolm (captain of the Maori), Menzies (picked off the boat), and Baker. Mr. Smallwood was teller of the Union Bank, Timaru.
Monday, 5.30 p.m. The boat was washed up against the steamer by the heavy rollers and capsized. She went to the windward side of the steamer, but for what reason is not known. The bodies are not yet washed up. The accident occurred about half past four o'clock on Saturday afternoon, and the sad intelligence was at once telegraphed to Wellington. It threw a deep gloom over the city, for there was no resident in it better known or more highly esteemed than Mr Balfour. On Sunday, the flags on the various buildings in town and on the shipping in harbor were hung half-mast high out of respect to his memory. Mr Balfour leaves a wife and child to mourn his loss, and it is needless to say that in their sad bereavement they receive the heartfelt sympathy of every inhabitant of Wellington. -Wellington Independant, 21/12/1869.
The Late Mr Balfour. — The human remains found on the beach recently, which are believed to be those of the late Mr Balfour, were on Wednesday last conveyed by the steamer Wainui to Dunedin for interment. At ten o'clock in the morning a number of the personal friends of the deceased and several of the principal inhabitants assembled in front of the police barracks, and followed the remains to the Government Landing Service. A hearse drawn by four horses, provided by Mr W. L. Edwards, conveyed the coffin, and on arrival at the Landing Service, the Union Jack was placed over the coffin, which was carried to the surf-boat by four sailors. This boat, containing Captain Gibson and Captain Mills, was then towed to the Wainui, and Captain Gibson accompanied the remains to Dunedin. The coffin bore the inscription "James Melville Balfour, drowned Dec. 18th, 1869, at Timaru, N. Z., aged 33 years." The funeral, which is to be a public one, will take to-day at Dunedin, and the remains will be interred in the cemetery alongside those of the late Mr Paterson, C.E. -Timaru Herald, 15/1/1870.
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