LATEST TELEGRAMS.
Timaru, Dec. 19, 5 p.m. Yesterday evening a number of passengers went off in the surf boat to the s.s. Maori, in the roadstead. When some distance from land the surf line fouled, and a boat was put off from the steamer. The fourteen passengers were safely transferred to the boat, which started for the steamer. Within a few yards of the steamer the boat capsized, turning bottom upwards, and throwing all into the sea. Some regained the boat, and some were saved by ropes and life-belts thrown from the steamer. The shore lifeboat put off and rescued one passenger, who was 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. 5.30 p.m. The boat was washed up against the steamer by a heavy roller 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. -Lyttelton Times, 20/12/1869.
As our readers will perceive by a telegram in another column, a sad accident happened on Saturday last at Timaru, whereby Mr Balfour, Colonial Marine Engineer, and Mr Smallwood, lately teller in the Union Bank, Timaru, lost their lives. Timaru has long been known to be a dangerous place for landing passengers, and surf-boats have to be used for that purpose. Owing to the surfline of a boat going out to the Maori getting fouled, a boat from that vessel went to the rescue, but got up to windward instead of to leeward of the steamer, was dashed up against her, and capsized with the above sad result. The accident, in the absence of further particulars, is most unintelligible, as Captain Malcolm and others of experience were in the boat at the time. It is supposed that the unfortunate gentlemen who were drowned were stunned by being thrust against the vessel, and could, make no effort to save themselves. Mr Balfour was a gentleman of great professional ability, and well known here as elsewhere in New Zealand. Mr Smallwood, we believe was also a valued officer of the bank. -West Coast Times, 20/12/1869.
The Late Boat Accident at Timaru. — The body of Mr Smallwood has been found by some Maoris frightfully mutilated, and the head entirely denuded of flesh, identification from the body itself was impossible, but the contents of the pockets left no doubt as to the identity of the deceased gentleman. Mr Balfour’s body has also been found on the beach north of Timaru, and the Resident Magistrate has forwarded, per instructions from the General Government, the remains to Dunedin, to be buried alongside the late Mr Patterson, one of Mr Balfour’s greatest friends in life. -Marlborough Press 2/2/1870.
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