OUR KUMARA LETTER.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 5 November 1901, Page 2

OUR KUMARA LETTER.

(our own correspondent.)

One of the anomalies of the timber trade in this district thorfc is worth anything, is that while our local mills a?e carting timber to the Railway Station for export, the same drays bring back a return loading from the sUtion Fdwrnills for local use. This is one of those things that puzzle the unimitiated, but is I presume capable of explanation. Quite a sense of sadness prevaded the township when it became known on Saturday afternoon that a serious accident had befallen a well known and highly respected resident in the person of Mr O. W. Anderson, of the Theatre Koyal. When death resulted at about noon yesterday unnumbered were the expression* of regret, that he who had for over 20 years been prominently identified with our town should be no more. Mr Aaderson carried on the dual occupations of publican and miner. For many years he has been mining at Payne's Gully. Of late his health only permitted an odd visit to the claim. It was on one such that he met the accident resulting in'doath. Deceased with some of his employees was engaged c'eaning the face of stones after the water had been turned off. While thus employed a stone estimated to be the siza of a m.m's head cime away from the face about 80 feet up and struck the unfortunate on the hip inflicting a frigntful gap : ng wound into which it is said two handkerchiefs had to ba stuffed to staunch the flow of blood. Dr Scott was soon on the scone and under his care all was done that could be. With the aid of a number of willing hands the sufferer was borne on a stretcher to the hospial as quickly as the rugged nature of the track to be traversed would allow. But it was quite two hours before he reached the institution. The exact oxtent of his injuries aro not known, suffice it is to say that they were, with resultant shock and loss of blood, too much for him to battle against. He became unconscious about 5a m. yesterday and died about noon. D-sceased was a native of Stockholm, Sweden, and 65 years of age. Ho came from Victoria to Otago 39 years ago, and thenco to the Coast. p Io was well known as a hotolkeepar and miner in the Groy Volley district in the early days. Indeed ho had seen more of the ups and downs of life than usually fall to the lot of the majority of the pioneers. Mo finally settled in Kumara over 20 years ago, and has been prominently identified with mining, a 3 a practical nincr and as an investor in mining ventures ever since. He also contributed hie juota towards tha public life of the Sown, laving been a member of the Borough Council for a great number of years. He vas such at the time of his death. He oaves a wifo but no family, and the leepest sympathy is felt for his widow in ler sad affliction

This accident brings prominently forward the necessity for a pack track to Payne's Gully via Hayes's Terracp. It was fully two hours on Saturday before his mates had got Mr Anderson on to the main road and the jolting resulting from the necessity of bringing the injured man over this busk track on a stretcher where the difficulties to be encountered can onby be appreciated from experience must have intensified his sufferings. I understand it is intended to make the track referred to. If so then I say "0 ! let it be soon !"

Tickets for the children's concert in aid of the firewood fund of the Dillmin's school are selling freely and a foil house is expected. Patrons may expect & good evening's amusement on Wednesday next,

Our friends of We3tbrook having firmly established a cricket club in their midst, propose replenishing their exchequer by holding a benefit dance on Friday evening Novemqer Bch. The energy displayed by thorn in pushing the interests of this pleasant summer sport, is certainly very commendable and deserves every patronage.