DEATH OF HERBERT GROOBY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 123, 27 May 1870, Page 2

DEATH OF HERBERT GROOBY.

To ths -Editor of the -Nelson Evening Mail.

Sir. — Seeing in your paper of the 14th inst., an account of the melancholy end of my cousin Herbert Grooby, I must ask you to publish the following particulars. The unfortunate man went to the Salisbury Plain diggings on the 19th April, but as it was thought by . thoso he was working with that, the cold wonld be too great]forhim to stand, he was recommended by them to return to Motueka. Accordingly on the 28th April he started back, in company with- one of his mates, who saw him, as he thought, through the snow. Shortly after being left, however, he was met by a paTty of iMaoris in snow up to his knees, but he appeared to be in capital health and spirits, he was met a little later by a man named Da vey. On the 30th Davey came into Motueka and told Mr. Campbell that Herbert was lost, and on the 4th iostanfc two of his mates came in and gave the same information to the constable. His wife and family however were not informed until the stb, and I cannot help thinking that if we had heai'd of it when the news was first brought in we "might have had some chance of finding him alive. On the 6th a party of twenty-one went in search of him and I wish to take this opportunity ipf offering them my best thanks for their services so kindly rendered. Ought not the Government to do something in the way of making a road over the ranges to these diggings. For £100 lam informed that a track, fit for pack horses, might be cut, which would open up a gold-bearing country with ample room for hundreds of men to work upon, and this would prevent the recurrence of such misfortuues as that we now deplore. Yours, &c, Thomas Grooby. Pangatotara, May 23, 1870.