VICISSITUDES OF A MINER’S LIFE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 497, 27 October 1871, Page 1 (Supplement)

VICISSITUDES OF A MINER’S LIFE.

—o — A sad chapter of accidents has lately happened at Westport. One Ned Canon was working *t the reefs in that locality, and in company with a mate named Jack Henderson was drilling a hole in the rock- They had got it tamped with a wood tamper, and then inserted an iron one to drive the powder home tight. By some means or other it went off, and Hendesron was so injured that he died an hour after, never becoming sensible during the time. Carton was severely hit on the face with the powder and small stones, yet he managed to crawl out and give the alarm, and although he was stone blind, he had crept back into the tunnel before any assistance arrived. When the men came up they did not perceive that any thing was wrong with Carton till they were taking out the body of Henderson, one asked him to hold the ii«*ht. Ned asked him to put it into his hand, for he was blind One of the men who was present said he never felt so affected in his life as when he looked at poor Ned, with the blood dropping down off his beard, and yet trying to help them with the other man. This happened on the Tuesday, but it was Thursday before they could start with Ned for town, as there was a heavy flood on the Inangahua. When the party arrived half way between the reefs, and the junction of the Inagahua with the Duller, they had to cross in a canoe. One of the men named Brown being the best hand with fhe canoe, went into it along with Ned to take him across. Ned was all bandaged up about the head, and wrapped up in shawls. When they got about the middle of the river, Brown lost command of the frail vessel, and she went down over a fall in the presence of a large crowd of persons on the banks, but who were unable to help them. Ned sat in the boat till it had sunk over his waist, and poor Brown, who was a splendid swimmer, seemed to be excited about Ned’s position, and cried out, “Oh, Nel, what will be do?’ Then he struck out, and called out to Ned to come “ this way.” Ned, however, felt he could not go against the stream, so he let himself settle down in the water, and commenced to tear off his clothes and bandages. In this way he was swept down the river for about a mile, then he put up bis hand and rubbed one of his eyes, and found he could see a little, and so made for the bushes, where was a shanty Poor Brown was never seen again; every one thought he was sure to get out, and that Ned was drowned, but when they found Ned coeying for Brown and trying to make his way to look for him. It has since transpired that Ned’s eyes were burned together, and the water and rubbing together loosened it. He has one good eye left.