HYDE.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 402, 25 November 1876, Page 3

HYDE.

(From our own correspondent.) November 21st. With a feeling of uncommon sadness and regret this time I am the chronicler of an event fatal and unexpected, the death by drowning last Saturday evening of Mr. Owen Laverty. A plain statement of the facts as* I have gathered them will show to your numerous readers,

amongst whom are tfumy well acquainted with the generally lamented deceased, how the deplorable occurrence came about. Tiie weather for a couple of days to Saturday had been tempestuous and squally. Some heavy rain showers had fallen, but not so much so in the vicinity of Hyde as to lead to ike conclusion there would be a rapid and dangerous rise in th<j liix'er Taiei't. Mr. Owen' Laverty had occasion to leave Hyde and cross to the Deepdale side ot'tue ilivtT about 6 o'clock p.ai. m the afternoon. Iu pursuance of his errand ; he took with him a loaded dray and two horses. Iu the morning there was 110 unusual body of water iu the Taieri, and at the time of his crossing, the river was fairly fordable. He made the passage without more than ordinary difficulty, and after an hour or two of stoppage prepared for the return trip. In the meantime, though, this, at most times dangerous stream, had risen-with unprecedented quickness to a height which would have deterred many from attempting the ford unless they were possessed of more than average pluck. Poor Laverty, however, was not wanting in this manly element. He came to the fording place, and there meeting three men named Wilkes, Newman, and Kelly, who were travelling in search.of employment, kindly undertook to give them a passage over in the dray. They.all jumped in, and for a long time, although the. turbulent current raged like a furious sea, all went "well, and all in every probability would have continued to do so but tor the unmanageablcness of the leading horse, which about midstream stumbled, and never afterwards regained a footing. Now commenced the struggle for existence. The ungovernable waters seethed and hissed rouud the seemingly doomed men in the dray, which, like a cork, was being borne along by fhe roaring and devouring tide. Wilkes, one of the passengers, was the first to make a leap for life, and succeeded in getting safely to bank, Newman, and poor Laverty next essayed the. itmble venture, Newman managed to make his life assured, but not so Laverty. He was observed for some time battling with wonderful resolution, skill and bravery for existence, but all in vain—,dl in vain, on his part, the manly exertions made to get footing once more on land. The man Kelly, it would seem from his own statement, clung to the dray until it met with an obstruction, which gave it a great jolt, or capsize, so he calls it, that had the effect of 'throwing him out, and in such a position as enabled him to get to the welcome land once more. Wilkes, so I learn, after - reaching shore, seeing his swag floating by, rushed in and secured it. By this time too he perceived Laverty being carried along the sport of the waters. He ' instantly set about preparation to attempt to render him aid, but even as, in the act of pushing into his help, he was swept by, and seen no more in life. The news of the terrible calamity soon spread. Mr. John Laverty, the brother of the deceased, was amongst the first to hear of it. He immediately galloped off to the scene of disaster, accompanied by others on horseback and on foot. ; A search was at once instituted, and the river cursorily explored for a couple of miles down from where the accident first happened; but with fruitless results. Tne horses, both drowned, and the dray was washed down some half mile,, close into the bank. Next morning every man in the neighborhood went down to the river to render assistance. Conspicuous amongst these for pluck and energy, I in ay mention the name of a man named Welch. He is a Palmerston man. He was amongst the foremost to venture out in the search of the body, and his example was soon followed by Gill, M'Kuy, and a host of others, who spared no exertion, nor shirked any danger, iu their efforts to recover the remains. From early morning till sundown the river was dragged and waded into, but fruitlessly, I regret to say. Monday and Tuesday the river banks too were explored for miles by horse and footmen, but no trac< s yet have been discovered. The police officer, Mr. Gallagher, is now engaged carrying on the quest. Let us hope he will be successful. Mr. John Laverty has offered a reward of £2O for the recovery of his brother's body, but this is not needed by the Hyde people, who, for the sake of the young man himself, and in consideration of his many endearing and sterling qualities, wouid only deem it a sacred duty and an act of Christian charity to do this work. Since my last Main, acting through some man named Stanley, seized fifty head of cattle, and Was taking them to pound when they were perceived by Mr. John Laverty, who at once generously paid the amount of damages and expenses claimed, £7 in all and restored the cattle to their owners—amongst whom was only one applicant for asection of the " hope deferred.'' This will tell you of the tender mercy of the squatters when they find a disposition to settle on the land evinced by industrious men. A similar impounding raid was made on Monday by this man Stanley on the Deepdale run, and nearly-a similar number of cattle placed in durance. This conduct, however, will be sure to end only in disaster to the squatter in the long run, for people will combine for proper commonage, which will be the right way to. solve this vexed question.