Sad Drowning Case.

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 147, 1 June 1893, Page 2

Sad Drowning Case.

We regret to have to record the death, by drowning, of Mr Donald Clarke, 22 years of age, a son of Mr Angus Clarke, of the Spur road. ; It appears that the unfortunate young nian was returning, about 4 o'clock on Tuesday Afternoon, to the Feildmg Block, accompanied by a son of Mr Lankshear'B, of Ashurst road. When, they got to the Apiti 1 ford ori the Orona river, Clarke offered to go first; as he possessed a knowledge of the ford. He succeeded in getting half-way across, when his horse seemed to stumble or fall suddenly into a deep Hole, and Clarke was lUriaeatedi v receiving" •& kick or knock from the horse-on his forehead, which must have stunned, if not killed, him, and he then floated down the river. His mate harried back to Birmingham, and then on to tell the parents of the sad occurrepce. As soon . as the news had spread, parties \vent->ont in search of the body. One of the deceased's boots was found about a mile below the place where the - accidejgt^ happened, but the body was not recovered till abo%t midday" yesterday, it having been washed about two miles down stream . and caught in a snag. Clarke tiad an oilskin coftfc 6» and a few parcels about him. Constable Pennefather went up from Feilding yesterday morning, and the body was taken tc-Lo k w©'« Hotel, where it will be left till after the inquest.' Although there was a fresh in the river it was not impassable, as aevernl persons crossed before and after the accident. Much sympathyis felt for the bereaved patents, as young Clarke was welKknown as a steady, industrious young man, and was formerly a member of the Manchester Rifles. An inqnest will be held by the coroner, Mr G. M. Snelaon, to-morrow morning.