SERIOUS ACCIDENT AT WAIHI.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 891, 14 May 1903, Page 2

SERIOUS ACCIDENT AT WAIHI.

A TERRIBLE EALL.

Waihi, Saturday

A fatal accident occurred in tho Waihi mino last night, about halt past eleven o’clock, when a miner named M. N. Parry (unmarried) was killed outright, anil another minor named William Gornthwaito (who lias a wifo and family) was so seriously injured that little hope is entertained of his recovery.

A party of four—Messrs W. M. Corntlnvaito (in clmrgo of tho shift), Melbourne Parry, Charles Bonehatu, and Thos. Kennedy—were engaged in tho shaft, about 180 ft down. Parry, Cornthwaite, and Bon chain wore girdling tho rods (wooden, loin squaro, and about Rift long), whilo Kennedy was below in No. 5 level, in tho main hauling compartment. Tho steadying of tho rods as they wore lowered into position was done by hand from ladders in the shaft, and down tho ladders at intervals of about iiOft platforms were iixed. It was on one of these stages that Bono* ham, who had preceded Parry and Cornthwaite, was standing waiting for them. The rod was then stationary, and Parry and Cornthwaite wore to join Boneham on tho platform below, beforo commencing the lowering of tho next, rod. It was at this point that the accident happened. There was a terrible fall, both men (Gorntluvaito and Parryj'in their descent, striking Boneham, hut not heavily.

Cornthwaite, who was the first victim reached, was jammed in a sitting position between a set of the iron girders placed at intervals iu tho shaft, with his knees doubled up to within a few inches of his face. Ho was unconscious, and bis head was covered with blood. Ho was at onco sent to tho surface. Twelvo feet further down tho unfortunate man Parry was picked up off a wooden girder with his head downwards, his shoulders being jammed in the opening between tho girders. Ilis clothing from his waist bad been stripped off'. He was moved from the fearful position and.takon to the surface.

Both men were then taken to the ciiango house, whore Dr Guinness was immediately in attendance. Almost at a glance tho doctor pronounced that life was extinct in Parry’s case, while Cornthwaite, though terribly injured on tho head, was breathing. Parry's body was removed to tlio Stirling Hotel, and Cornthwaite was taken to Mr Barron’s pharmacy, and subsequently to bis father-in-law’s (Mr John Flett) hotel.

It is surmised that deceased was on tbo ladder above Cornthwaite, and that ho missed his footing and fell, and in falling knocked Cornthwaite off tho ladder. It is not known how far they fell, as thero is nothing to show definitely from what point they began the descent, but it is thought that the distance would be somewhere about 80ft, Cornthwaite’s fall being 10ft to 15ft shorter than Parry’s. Deceased was only 26 years of age, and a man of splendid physique. He commenced his mining career in Tasmania, at tho ago of 17, and had followed it up till the time of his death. He came to Waihi along with his brother tv/o and a-half years ago, his cousin (Mr Thomas Owen) joining him a few months later. Within a week or so of his arrival in Waihi ho commenced contracting in the Waihi mine, and since that time ho has been continuously engaged with that company, either on contracts or on wages. During this time be was engaged exclusively in shaft work, commencing in the shaft where ho met his terrible end. He was one of the most experienced shaft hands, most reliable, and powerful in the extreme. Deceased leaves a father and mother, four sisters and four brothers to mourn their loss. Mr and Mrs Parry have their home in Back Creek, Tasmania.

Waihi, Monday. The body of the late W. J. M. Cornthwaite was this morning taken in a hearso to Paeroa, where the coffin was transferred on to the train, en route for Bombay. At a little after seven o’clock a number of people began to assemble in the street opposite Mr Flett’s Hotel. Meanwhile, the Obincmuri No. 3 Volunteer Corps, of

which deceased was a member, and the Waini Rilles were drawn up in Main street. The Waihi Brass Band was also in attendance. Within the hotel Brother

Mitchell, A.D. of the Druids Lodge, to which society deceased belonged, read tho Druids’ burial service over the body. With tho band in the lead playing the

“ Head March ” in “ Saul," the cortege moved off, tbe volunteer companies coining next, marching with reversed arms. The chief mourners’ carriage wa3 occupied by Mr Cornthwaite, sen., Mr Flett (deceased’s father-in-law), Messrs Chris, and ltcoert Cornthwaite (brothers of tbe deceased), and Mr Wilcox (relative), tho next carriage was occupied by Mr Geo. Johnston (brother-in-law), and Charles and Norman Flett. The members of tho Druids followed next in order. Mr Arthur Rosser (president of : Auck._ud Trades Council) and tho president of tha Miners’ Union and the secretary headed tho large number of member of the union. His Worship the Mayor (Mr W. H. Phillips) and other prominent residents, wero idciuded in the procession. At a point about opposite the hospital a halt was made, and those on foot returned to town, while the hearse and accompanying buggies started off to catch the train. The funeral will take place in Bombay tomorrow afternoon.

Feeling reference was made in the Presbyterian, Wesleyan, Primitive Methodist, St. Joseph’s, and St. John’s Churches yesterday to the sad calamity.