Sad Occurrence.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1626, 4 February 1886, Page 4

Sad Occurrence.

TWO MEN LOSE THErR LIVES IN 1 *A WELL.

After we went to press yesterday news readied Palmerston of a very Bad circumstance that occurred up Robert's Line, off Stoney Creek. From information gleaned ' to-day we learn that two men 'named Buffe and Dembler, wereiengaged' in sinking a well. They had got some distance down, and had met with no indications of the existence of foul air, aud consequently no extra precautions had been taken. Buffe' Had b'sen to the Road Boaad m the forenoon respecting a road. When the two recommenced work' Dembor first lowered Buffe, but getting no reply and hearing no sound Mrs Dember lowered her husband down to see what was the matter. Hearing nothing of him, i\l is .Dember called Mr Henderson who was at work m the locality. A man named Hoffmann was next lowered down, and when drawn up it was with difficulty that vitality was restored. It was then clear that foul air was the cause of the fatal occurrence. After some further delay Hoffmann again voluuteered to descend, and the two bodies were sub sequently brought to the surface. It is surmised that just before the deceased left- off working a vein had been struck from which foul air had issued without being noticed by thetn. Oo their re commencing work, the first poor fellow, unaware. of danger, had- descended to his doom, and his mate followed as described. Police and medical aid were summoned, but. of course, the poor fel- . lows were beyond human aid. Mr Dember leaves a widow and family of 7 or 8 children to mourn;their sad bereavement, and Mr Buffe leaves a widow arid growi^ tip daughter. An inquest on the two, bodies is now being held. We may state that previous to Hoffman being lowered down steps were taiten to purity the atmosphere m the well by agitation, but; this notwithstanding, Hoffmann's heroic act m offerin? to go down to the assistance of the poor men might easily have cost him his. life. The sad occurrence has caused the manifestation of deep sympathy with those so suddenly bereaved. The circumstance has naturally caused a severe shock to the community m the immediate locality, as well as throughout the district wherever the news has reached. :

At the K.M. Court to-rday .before R. Esq, R.M., jiidgnjent for plaintiff's with costs was given jn the following sases :— Wollennan and Hutoheson v. C Andersou, £14 6s ; and Luxford v. Crawford £>. . A number of Mr Bryce's triends have determined to support his candidature for his present seat, Waitotara, m the event of a disolution taking; place. A large- number of temporary liandt ; m the Property Tax Department have ] received notice that their services are not required. Further detatchraents are to follow m a few days. The Wellington Harbour Board Loan of £50,000 was subscribed for eleven times over. Mr Railway Commissioner Maxwell arrived m Wanganui from the north yesterday, and left by steamer for Wellington m the evening. The fi.M. Court was taken up to-day for several hours with the case Watson v. Watson, claim of £36 6s for goods m i possession of defendant, alleged to belong to plaintiff. The hearing out some very painful disclosures between the parties, who stood m the relationship of brother and sister. At the conclusion judgment was given for plaintiff for the full amonut claimed with costs, Mr J. H.Hankjns appeared for plaintiff. .....' To make room for reading matter several atjtaentigemeats have yaayoidably obf JwliJ oypr fpr tfrjbj, ' I

[Continued trod,. second page. I aid ( ff befbre Act of '78 came into force. !n No. 3 consent of Council given to lay off Linton and Dundas- streets. Stieet through sec. 996, Town Clerk to search if registered. In No. 4 Ward onesent of Council given to lay off Lombard, Andrew Young, Domain, and streets sec. 285 and 286, Campbell, Burke, and Wai- : ilegrave- streets were laid off before Act af 78 came into force. George and Taonui -streets were taken over as public streets when the Borough was incorporated. Domain-street is now taken over as a public street. The application of Mr Milverton for metalling m Alexafider-street retorred ; from the Council was acceded to. Resolved to recommend to the Council that Featherston-street) from Rangitikei to North-street be re-metalled with three inches of metal. Meeting adjourned and resumed January 18. .1886. . ( , , Mr H. McNeil (chairman) present. The Foreman's report referred to this Committee by the Council was considered. Resohed — That the metalling m Fer-guson-street m continuation of the work m that street now being carried out and and referred to m the rejport he left m abeyance for the present. „ . Resolved — That no action be taken on the suggestion ot insuring the hay and the shed. Resolved — THat the culvert at Lintonstreet reft rred to by the Foreman be attended to. „ i . . . / Resolved — That the Foreman be instructed to clean' out 'the drain m Fergu-son-street and that the application ot Mr Brady be attended to at the same time by filling m about four chains 'of the road at his corner,also3permittinghim to clean out and deepen the' ditch on his side of Ferguson-street to Cook-street for sum owing by him for rates. The Foreman be also instructed to enlarge the .culvert at Mr Manz's corner Ferguson- street and Fitzherbert Road by placing another alongside, also that he Be authorised to alter or enlarge one dther culvert m Fergusonstreet if found absolutely necessary. Resolved — That the Foreman be instructed to have the two drains m Featherston-street cleaned out and a satiling bridge to connect with Oakleystreet. A Baplimr bridge to be construe-' ted with Mr ■ Fenton's gate • aud road formed f oV about four chains. Rflsolved — ■ That Oakley-street be formed from Featheraton-street end to past the hollow m said street. Resolved — That the Foreman of Works be authorised to obtain a supply of timber required. re guaging streams. Resolved— That the Chairman be empowered to make arrangements for guaging the. Ti.ritea Stream m accordance with a resolution passed at the previous meeting- of the Council, .-i An application was preferred from. John Wjgffins ito;-be again taken on the' . .staff ot i'oaclmen^as his sight was sufficiently recovered through his. ..trip to" England ;to 'make him perform' the .work' required. . -After some discnosion as. to. his claim on the Council for'censideration it was resolved to recommend the Council to reinstate him iri "bis former position. . •^MINUTES OF COMMITTEE re COUNCIL OFFICE. Present — Hia Worshio the Mayor, and Cra. Snelson, J. King, Hawkins, and West.'r-j -.. J ...\! •'■' ". :.. ' "■.. < -;J An offer from Messrs Richter and Co. offering premises m Col em an Placp, | unoccupied; for the sum of £10, and n peppercorn rent for the remainder of occupation. Resolved to refer matt r back to sub committee for purpose of ascertaining on what terms all the sections including building could be obtained. January 18th, 1886. Present — this Mayor, and Crs. Hawkins, Snelson, ; McNeil and West. Or. Snelson m the chair. Minutes of previous.meeting. read and confirmed. The sub-committee reported that Messrs Richter and Co. declined to make , any offer, but addressed a communication to the,. whole Committee. The letter referred to was read asking Com-mittee-to', state a Drice Council would be prepared to give Resolved to recommend to the Council to offer for the whole of the sections leased to Richter and Co. including buildings £125. ' Resolved, on the motion of Or West — That the report be adopted. - - FINANCE COMMITTEE. " February 2nd, 1886. i j Prosent— Crl fiawkius (Chairman,) and S. A 6 rail wns. The following accounts were considered. . r Roadmen's monthly wages/ £48 2s. Town Clerk salary, £16 13» 4d. Hnines Poundkeeper, JC4 3s 4d. Moffatt, Light ing, £9 128. Times, advertising; £2 11s 9d. Montague', 7a i 6d. Milverton, ss. Wollerman & Co, 16s 9d. Library Committee, £35 17s 7d. E Collins, ploughing. £2. Standard, £1 13s 9d. •:* Resolved to recommend Council to consider claims made for attendance at late fires, namely— Vyages to, men, £6 %s ; for RangeiC £3 ; Hill, 3 nights,- 30s; The latter has pnade' no claim, but i the Committee consider hit should be recompensed for his services. Resolved — That the accounts be passed for payment. : ', ■ GAS COMMITTEE. February let, 1886. Preßent-r-Cis R, S. Abraham (chair), L". G. Wieat; Hawkins, McNeil and the - Mayor, ..»>■■•■■ ♦■ ■- ■ -> ' ■ ' ' : ■, • Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed, Letters rend f rotn Town Clerks Napier and Wellington. 'Resolved— That the Council be recommended to have the following conditions inserted m any agreement that may be entered id for the supply oi gas, viz., 1. Gas Works to be erected on site to be approved of by Council. 2. Time m which any street, or footpath should remain open to be limited to 24 hours, and that not more than 3 chains of any one Btreet should: be opeii at acy o.'ie tjme. 3. The Council to be empowered to purchase the gas works at its sole option. Value to ; be ascertained m the usual manner 4. A bond to bo entered m to thnt the erectiou of the necesiary works be commenced within six nonths from date of signing the conlitions and that the works be m a posiion to supply gas within eighteen nonths of said date, and further that no \.ctBhould be prepared for consideration >y the General Assembly unless all its Causes are first approved by the Jorough Council of Palraerstoh North inder a pnnalty t not exceedi ng J5OOO . : Resolved— rThat the report be received nd adppted ; also resolved, on motion of ' Jr'McNeil— That the mains be laid 2ft clow the permanent levels of the streets, i nd that the Borough Solicitor be m- I tructed to draft the recommendations ] n legal form and forward to Mr George 1 n Wellington. " MEETING re FIRE BBIGADE. t January 12th, 1886. i Present — His Worship the Mayor, l nd Crs West, Hawkins, S. Abrahams, . King, J. Grace, and G. M. Suelsou. I is Worship states that the meeting ' id been commenced m an informal s anner owing to what might be condered an extraordinary emergency n >u«ed by the immediate danger Of fire d id any action that might be resolved ,* ,o» w.ould require ratifying formally 1> the following Council meeting. .» p The minutes of proceedings at a n eeting of tlie Fire Brigade Committee m Id January 11th, 1886 were read. s| Present—The Mayo,r.and Crs Hawkins In d Meßßre T. King and J. Linton. is Fir« Thi Mayor reportod al

the result of th« itieeting convened to consider the ponitibri of the Fire Brigade. Mr Lintoo proposed} and Mr King seconded — That the decision of the Public Meeting as contained m this re port be adopted and submitted to tha Council. Carried. The Mayor suggested that authority be given to the Brigade to pin chase and have always on hand a supply of patent Hand Grenades attached to the engines. Resolved that the Council be recommended to give effect to the above also that the Council bo recommended to communicate with tho Kailway Authorities to obtain permission for hose to be attached to the water tanks m the Square to 611 the engines m case of emergency. Mr Linton proposed and the Mayor seconded that the Council be recommended to request the member of the District to take steps during the next session of Parliammit to have a claim inserted m the Muuicipal Cor- • porations Act to enaMo the local ) authorities to grant the right to graz* sheep on the streets, and waste places, within auy Borough. Resolved that the Council be recommended to take immediate steps to burn or remove the grass m dangerous positions m the town. After discussion of the several recommendations proposed as contained m the above minutes, it was resolved that the following be noted upon, and supported m the CouncH^naiu-ly— The lines laid down for t'he of the new Brigade. To apply for permission to use the tanks, question of grenades to be ' left with 'the' brigade. Re she«p graz ing, to be brought before Council m usual way. Resolved on motion of Or T. King, secouded by Cr Grace, That the Town Clerk be empowered to put on extra hands to cut the grass if stifti jieat rain falls to enable it to be done, and that the meeting will endorse tho necessary outlay incurred, and to be incurred to prevent any spread of fire m tho town. On the motion of Cr Snelson it was resolved that canvassing the public for subscriptiphs be deferred until the haud engine ordered arrives, the Management Committee to then organise a thorough canvas of the town, and request the local newspapers to publish lists of the subscriptions obtained. . Resolved on motion of Or liing, tliat the Mayor, and Cr West, be nominated by the Council as its representatives on the Managing Committee. Eesblved— That the minutes as read be confirmed, and that the action taken by the Crs at the meeting be ratified. WIGGINS' APPLICATION. . Cr McN'eirexplairittd that WijTgins'liad ; informed him that- both Me'sfers" Keeling and Hill had. given hina to understand •that when he returned from England he should be re-instated m his former : position., The speaker also stated that ifWiggins was taken on it would hecessi-' tate the 1 dismissal of one of the work- ' men.at'^present engaged. Cr Wood did not see why a man ; should be dismissed, m order to take on' Wiggins, .unless ho; were incompetent. . He also believed; that Wiggins had only one eye, and would therefore be unable to properly fulfill his duties. Cr Stewart also thought that it would not be propeV to -interfere- with the Foreman of Works but that the matter should be entirely left to him. Cr Grace"' proposed that the recommendation of the committee be adopted. Seconded by Cr Rush. Cr Stewart proposed an amendment that the matter.. be left m the, hands .of the Foreman of Works. r Seconded by Cr Wood. Cr Hawkins pointed' out that : as the weather was at present very favourable, and as the Foreman had his hands more than full, Wiggins should be taken on as an extra hand temporarily. He moved a further amendment to this effect. Seconded by C.r W«s.t, and added to on: suggestion of Cr McNeil, as follaws, ; yi?. — That the same be subject to the approval of the Foreman of Works ; tha original motion was withdrawn, and Cr Hawkins' resolution carried. .-/:. ! • MISCELJiAKiiQUS. , f , < Resolved that tlie hecoramendation .-ofCoramittee re re-metalling of Featherston street from Rangitikei-street be adopted. Resolved, on the, motion, of Ci; W^\ " seconded by Cr Grye-^That the>streets mentioned m the latter part of the report should take precedence inithe. participa* tipn of loan expenditure. „ Lettej reaci frpm fJ. P. Armstrong re 'street levels J '^ ' * : 1 "' ) i? ) i ;■ i. Referred to the Public Works Committee. Re rent of Lin ton's Buildings. : . ,■;■,, i Resolved, on the motion of Cr Hawkins—That m reply to Mr Hankins' letter, an offer of 15s per week, week to week from last, be made i tor rental djf o&cesl ( .'■; ; . '.', ■'''] V ' '/'■> Resolved," on' ilie s motion 6f Cr'R. S. Abraham — That a vote of thanks be accorded Mr Linton for free u-e of offices, generously supplied to the Council, and that the .Clerk write to Mr Linton to this. effect. J ' ■' " •■' ■ "■ ! ■' w On the motion of Cr West, Cr R. S. Abraham's name was added to that of the Mayor as representatives appointed by the Council on the 'Fire Brigade Committee. Cr Grace" mbvedrthat the Palmerston; representatives on the Hospital Bokfd* viz., Messrs. Snelson and West should -be . requested to move at the next meeting the Boanl-^-Thafc the funds of the institution should be formed into one cen- ; tral fund, and dispensed to the various localities are required. ' Tl>e motion \yas Iqat by one vote., [Left Sitting.]