LAMENTABLE ACCIDENT,

Manawatu Times, Volume II, Issue 94, 12 September 1877, Page 3

LAMENTABLE ACCIDENT,

On July 1, about midday, an accident of a most'^; distressing nature occurred at. the "romantic Falls of Briiar, a short distance above Blair Athole. Two sons .of Sir' Charles Adderley, President of the Board of Trade, who were studying, were living .With a family ; at the Friar, m the neighbourhood of Pitloehrie, and on July 1 they went on a visit to the Falls Of Bruar, accompanied by another gentleman, named Farlay, One of the brothers, the elder, a young man of about twenty-one years of age, went to look over the edge when the place upon which he was standing gave way, and he was hurled down the precipice into the pool at the bottom, a depth of about 100 feet. His companions were for the moment horror-struck, but they took very speedy steps to attempt the rescue of the unfortunate gentleman. Running quickjy -to the nearest hous'G they procured a strong rope, and the gentleman who accompanied the brothers descended the face of the precipitous cliff, at the risk of- his life, to endeavour to render assistance to young Mr Adderley. The rope unfortunately, was too short, to reach the. water. It is. questionable if he could have rendered effective' aid even had the rope been long enough, to reach the pool? for the waters whirled round and round with great velocity, and there would have been much danger of iho brave fellow losing his life. Mr Adderley was not immediately rendered insensiblo, notwithstanding the serious injuries which he sustaiued m his fearful fall down the face of the rocks. He made -some efforts to get out ' of the pool, but unfortunately his strengh became exhausted, and he sank back and was swept away by the force of the current. ; The gentleman who descended m order to render him assistance managed to reacKthe bed of the river, and gallantly pluugerd m, m order to see wether he might not rescue hisfriend. By this time, however, Mr Adderley had, disappeared, and after swimming about for some time tire gallant young gentleman' quitted his useless search, and with considerable difficulty managed to scramble up the steep bank to, a place of safety,. The sad- event, it is unnecessary to say, cast a gloom over the whole district. The body of the young man was recovered next morning.