SAD DEATH OF AN OLD ASHBURTON RESIDENT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 657, 8 June 1882, Page 3

SAD DEATH OF AN OLD ASHBURTON RESIDENT.

We regret to record the death of Mr George Compton, builder and contractor, of this town, under particularly painful circumstances. On Monday last Mr Compton proceeded to Pakaia to visit bis -brothel 1 , licensee of the South Rakaia ' Hotel, who is just now lying seriously ill. On his return to Ashburton in the evening Mr Compton appears to have spent * sbme hours in town, riding home in a cab r at n late hour in company with a friend, Mr William Anderson, saddler, who deposited deceased at or near his own door. The night, however, was very dark, and Mr Compton seems, instead of entering his gardmi to gain admission to his home, to have .wandeied down to the river. All trace of him was lost, and Mrs Compton was naturally greatly alarmed at his un- - expected absence. t’earch parlies were organised, and the neighborhood of the deceased’s house, as well 'as the river-bed was thoroughly explored. "A largo parly was out at daybreak this - morning, numbering between thirty and *Jorly persons. In the forenoon deceased’s overcoat was found in the river, and at 'twenty minutes to one o’clock Messrs 0. Bourk and Rattray, milkman of Trevortop, discovered the body of deceased lying tolerably high upon the river-bank, 'ppqut 2i miles past Lancaster’s slaughter 'yaEfla. "ihe body was brought as speedily iwr'possiblo into town, and convoyed tn the Masopio Hall in Tancred street. ‘ "" probably.be held to-mor- *! wellrknown sand jf> I r mpeetbd resjlen| r resided k— ‘ ' ' -

in Ashburton for manyycais past. He was a number of the Somerset Masonic Lodge. He leaves a wife and large family th mourn his loss. Mr Compton was in the prime of life, and the news of his untimely decease will be learnt with sorrow by a large circle of friends and acquaintances