SAD FATAL ACCIDENT.

Kumara Times, Issue 2021, 20 February 1883, Page 2

SAD FATAL ACCIDENT.

A MINER WASHED THROUGH THE SLUDGE-CHANNEL.

The information we received yesterday just as we were going to press to the effect that James Smart, miner, had been killed, his lifeless body having been found among the tailings discharged from the sludge-channel, turned out to be too true, and to-day it is our painful task to give our many readers some account of the manner in which the sad occurrence is supposed to have happened, pending the usual investigation by Coroner and jury, which is now being held. Smart was one of a party of six men owning a ground-sluicing claim at Larrikins, whose tail-race connects with the Kumara sludge-channel. After dinner yesterday the party were sluicing with several heads of water, and Smart was engaged in the tail-race

as usual to prevent the occurrence of a block. Whilst so engaged the jump-up in the claim became blocked, and it is supposed that Smart, while endeavouring to loosen the debris in the jump-up, had succeeded to some extent and was then carried along the tail-race by the sudden release of a volume of water and hurried away into the sludge-channel. This is supposed to have occurred from a quarter to half-past two o’clock, as just previous to this time Smart had given indication to his mates of his presence in the tail-race by the ringing of a bell. It was after four o’clock, however, when Mr Langridge, a carpenter employed in lengthening the boxes at the mouth of the sludgechannel, observed what he assumed was a portion of a nozle sticking up out of the tailings, but which on proceeding to recover it, he found it to be the legs of a man, with gum-boots on. He immediately ran to turn the water and get assistance, and on extrication it proved to be the lifeless remains of James Smart. A severe gash on the head was discovered, which probably was inflicted about the time of bis exit from the tail-race into the sludgechannel. A large number of miners soon gathered to the spot, and the remains of James Smart, who but a few hours before had been seen by many of them in the full vigour of life, were borne away on a stretcher, attended by many comrades, on whose faces were depicted the mournful expressions of the uncertainty of life as manifested in the fate of their late common friend. Smart was a native of Sussex, where his father was in regular employ on the Duke of Norfolk’s estate; he was about 40 years of age, and had been on the diggings here five or six years and before ground sluicing was adopted. Previously a seafaring man, he was accustomed to make use of many droll and amusing expressions, which made his company the more acceptable, being also a great talker. He was withal a very useful man, being foremost among his compatriots in many useful ways, but chiefly we must mention in connection with the Kumara Literary Institute, having held office as a member of the committee nearly ever since the institution was founded, so that he might almost be described as the backbone of the institute. A characteristic, and at the same time curiously coincident testimony to his usefulness occurred only so late as last evening. Probably about the time that the remains of James Smart were being taken into Mr Denis Hannan’s Post-office Hotel last evening, there to await an inquest, the following telegram was being transmitted from Hokitika: —

Dear Mr MacDermott.

A miner at Dillman’s or Larrikin’s, by name Smart, or Sharp (I forget which), promised to aid me if I could let him know when I was coming to Dillman’s. You will likely know the right name ; he is a mate, I think, with William Morris. If you can make out the man please forward the within papers to him. I can only describe him as a great talker.— Yours, H. Clapcoit. Hokitika, Feb. 19, 1883. Mr Clapcott having been absent from Kumara several weeks, the coincidence of affinity of remembrance in the one case and decease in the other (with possibly a stray thought of life assurance whilst at work) is somewhat x*emarkable. Smart had also been a member of the Hospital Committee, and Benevolent Asylum Committee, and many a time he has been known to traverse from his home two miles on a wet and dark night, to find that there was no quorum at the last-named committee meetings. His decease has cast quite a

wide-spread gloom over the community, in the homes of many of which the name of James Smart was familiarly known and respected. An inquest is being held this afternoon, a report of which will be given to-morrow. The funeral will take place at two o’clock to-morrow afternoon.