A BOATING FATALITY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2169, 20 April 1908, Page 2

A BOATING FATALITY.

STEAMER RUNS INTO LAUNCH. FOUR LIVES LOST. (Press Association.) • DUNEDIN, April 19. A serious collision occurred in tho lower harbor at a late hour on Saturday night, resulting, it is feared, m the loss of four lives. A largo number of members of tho Naval Artillery were camped at the Heads for the Easter manoeuvres, and some of them were returning to camp about 11 p.m. When opposite Pulling Point the launch tried to cross the how of tlio Lady Roberts, the Government steamer, but failed, and the steamer ran into her, throwing all in the launch into the water. The following are the persons who are missing: Corporal Robert Slater, of the Dunedin Naval Artillery, residing at Mornington and the son of Mr. Robert Slater, late member of the Arbitration Court; Gunner Matthews, of Port Chalmers Naval Artillery; and two lads (civilians) named MePliee, whose parents reside at St. Kilda, but who wero visiting the heads at the time.

Tlie following occupants of the launch were picked up by the Lady Roberts, which remained ill the vicinity. of tlie disaster for an hour : Sergt. H. S. Montgomery, Sergt. Moir, Gunner Reeves, Trumpeter Peters, all of the Port Navals; Gunner Birchall, of tho Dunedin Navals j'Bandsman Thomson, of the Garrison Band; the eldest boy MePliee, G. Thompson (civilian), of Maitland Street, and a Dunedin mail known as “Portuguese Joe,” owner of the launch.’

The Lady Roberts returned to Port Chalmers to secure the services of a doctor for two that were injured in tho collision, and then returned to search for tho bodies of those missing, but up to the present they have not been recovered.

Slater was 24 years of age and unmarried, and both boys McPhee, w T lio are missing, were under 14. Gunner Matthews was about 20 years of age.