SID FATALITY AT REEFTON.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 20 September 1901, Page 3

SID FATALITY AT REEFTON.

Mr J. Hapnig* l * reported to the police Jesterday( statei the Beefton Herald) that e had discovered the body of his wife in » ditch containing about four feet of water close to the Tawhai railway station. It appears from the information we cap gffW t|at Mr. Hannigan had shifted his furniture, Ac*, from Progress Junction to Antonio’s on Tuesday last, where they Intended to reside, and Mrs Hannigan was to follow later in the day. Not arriving by Tuesday evening Mr Hannigan concluded that his wife had not left Beefton owing to the prevailing wet weather, but her non-arrival by the following night made him somewhat anxious, and yesterday morning ho earns to Beefton, where he found that Mrs Hannigan had left for Antonio*! on Tneeday afternoon. Thinking ihatahe had perhaps gone into of the

settler’s homes on the way down and he had thus missed her, Mr Hannigan went back as far as Mr J. MoMurray’s residence at Hinau, enquiring at the different places on the way but no one bad seen Mrs Hannigan. He thereupon concluded that an accident must have happened, and turned back towards Reefton, searching the ditches and creeks on the way, and finding the body as above stated. At the spot where tne accident occurred the road dips quickly towards the ditch, the banks of which are about two feet above the water and perpendicular. The bank had the appearance as though deceased bad attempted to get out of the water, but the sides being bare of scrub or any thing to hold on to, it is surmised that deceased had after a short struggle been overcome by the cold and succumbed. The deceased had resided in the district for a long time, and was much respected. Much sympathy is expressed for the husband and daughter in their affliction. The funeral will take place to-morrow afternoon, leaving her daughter’s residence, Upper Broadway, for the town cementry at 2.30 o’clock.