Drowning Fatality.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 455, 19 January 1905, Page 5

Drowning Fatality.

(From Our Owk Cohbbspondknt.)

Quite a gloom was cast over Cromwell on Thursday night last, when it became known that a fatality had occurred on the Rise & Shine No. 2 dredge, by which Charley Maddock had lost his life. A stone had lodged in the elevator, and deceased was seeing that it went through safely,Ms mate (Frank Burke) being at the engine waiting for the signal to stop. After waiting some little time, Burke heard his name called, and on going aft heard a splash, bis lamp in the meantime going oat. He detected Maddock in the water, and threw him a lifebuoy, bat at that moment deceased sank: Borke quickly brought round the boat, bat could find no trace of his missing mate. He at once prof ceeded to the town and gave the alarm, when a large number of willing helpers proceeded to the scene of the accident. After searching for some lame by means of dragging, the body was recovered in about 12 feet of water. It is supposed that deceased, in watching the stone passing through, slipped off into the water. The inquest was concluded on Menday (Mr M'lntosh being present on behalf of the Mines Department), when a verdict of " Accidental drowning, no blame being attachable to anyone" was returned. The deceased was well-known in the district, and leaves a widow and three young children. The funeral took place on Sunday, and was attended, by a large concoarse of people, the Rev. Mr Hewland officiating at the grave.