RAETIHI NOTES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9370, 12 February 1909, Page 5

RAETIHI NOTES.

From Oar Own Correspondent. A very sad fatal accident occurred on Monday last in the Ruatiti Block, when a young man engaged in road formation was overwhelmed by a huge slip from the hillside above. Details, until yesterday, were very meagre. Some time elapsed before tbe body was recovered. Upon receipt of news Constable Mcßae and Mr J. D. Gibson, ac.ing Coroner, accompanied by Mr Rutherford, road engineer, set off for the scene of the accident, about 20 miles away over very rough country. The body was recovered on Tuesday afternoon, and an inquest was at once held, eliciting the following facts: The deceased, James Neville Newbolt, aged 23, together with his father and two mates, was engaged in catting oat a bridle track round a hill which sloped away into a gorge some 200 feet below where the party was working. Whila Newbolt was working with a jack some distance from his father, tbe whole hillside slipped away, carrying him with it down into the gorge below. His mate was caught in the rope which secured the jack to a tree and was saved. As soon as word was brought into Raetihi, a party went out and with the assistance of the Ruatiti settlers, worked to remove the earth and debris from the body, which was recovered after about 24 hours. The work of removing the body to tbe camp took several hours more, and the inquest was then held immediately. After hearing the evidence of witnesses the following verdict was returned That deceased had been accidentally killed by a fall of earth, no blame being attachable to anyone.” Tbe body is being brought into Raetihi for interment. The circurhetauoes of the case are very sad. It seems that deceased, who had begun a promising college career, was working hard to earn sufficient to complete his degree, when so suddenly overtaken by death. The Mangaeturoa school re-opened this week, and the annual picnic and prize distribution will take place on Saturday next. Very good work was done by the pupils at the recent examinations, which reflects great credit on the teacher, Miss Brewer. In connection with the Raetihi school, tbe annual picnic and prize-giving will be held on tbe Domain on Thursday, 25th Inst. A meeting of the Raetihi Progressive Association will be held on Friday evening next. Mr R. H. Wyche, of Raetihi, is erecting a two-storey building (shop and dwelling) next his premises in Seddon street. Mr Jas. Hall, coachbuilder, is also building more commodious and up-to-date premises. Some very fine fruit: has been brought into Raetihi lately from Jerusalem on tbe Wanganui River. Some of the apples and plums are the best yet seen in the district, and arrive here in pefectly sound condition.