MELANCHOLY AND FATAL ACCIDENT.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 15, 15 September 1883, Page 2

MELANCHOLY AND FATAL ACCIDENT.

It is our painful task to record an occur ence that Ims cast a thorough gloom over the township. On Tuesday lust Charles William Wilson, a young lad of about 14 years of ngt, and son of our respected fellow- townsman, Mr William Wilson, draper, had been away at his father's farm at Waiorongomai. On his return about 6 o'clock in the eveniug on horseback, he first went home, and then remarked to hit* father that his horse's legs being very dirty he would ride down and give him a wash in th* river, which it> only .ibout^OOyds from his father's house. He proceeded to do so, a younger brother (William) ac company ing him on foot. It is evident that he rode the horeo into the river as usual ; what afterwards took place is in a great measure only matter for conjecture, as no person was present except this yonnafr brother, who ran home for assistance before thu sadd -st puit of tho affair took place. He states that he saw hit* brother take one foot out of one stirrup and so bring both legs on one .side, and thon lean across the saddle, causing the occupied stirrup to stick out nearly straight from the horse's side. He stated that ho did this whilst trying to stoop down and get a drink. Tho horse began " buck-jumping," so that Charlie was unable to get him out of the dueper water on to the shallow bank again, and, finding this, told his brother to run and get some one to bring n boat. The yonng'i* boy ran home to tell his fatln>r, but did not mention the matter to anyone on the way, though parsing a number ot «hopn and houses. His father ran down at once, saw the horse with the saddle on at the opposite wide of tha river, "but no trace of his son. On culling to a ntitnbtr

of peopL- who were playing football a little dietanco off, many willing hands were quickly engaged in searching for the boy. Several boats were' Boon manned, ■ and drag*, ropes, and everything likely to bo of use and that was obtainable, quickly on the spot, but. their efforts were of no avail in r 'covering the body. A very few moments of anxious suspense and hope, and then the sad conclusion had to be come to. that the poor little fellow had come to a sudden and untimely undL The poor lad was well able to hwii», and lmd frequently ridden into the river for a similar purpose. Thp pi we where the sad event took place is one familiar to e very inhabitant of this township, situated right at the- foot of Svolleston .-treot, and within a lew yards of where the various steamers berth, with two goods store's alongside. Indeed it is a remarkable fact that no one saw the accident. People are about the place in day timo almost continually. Them are places of business within a hundred yards, and a party of footballers were at play in the very next paddock. The place is commonly used for tii« purpose of washing horses, and hitherto no accident has ever occurred though it is undoubtedly dangerous. The de-cent into the water is very steep, a shingle b ink runs nearly half way across the river at the -place, but it-? width is limited, and at the far eijtl it shelved quite suddenly into deep water; also, immediately above and below the water is deep and rapid. At the time oi the accident the w.iter on the shingle bjd itself might be twenty to thirty inches deep. From whit in know it seems probable that the lad having ridden through the shallow wat t ail' 1 wishing to the horse a thorough u;ood wash, rode into the d -eper water and to k'jep hi-» feet dry, took one foot out of one stirrup, as his little- brother related, brought both !"<>'s to one side, and It'dut across the Kfiddie with his legs sti'etuit'd out ; tli.it whilst in this position he got into (K-epur wat.*r than he purposed, and hastily trying to recover his proper position, slipped off, or th.it whilst in the above position the horse's feet suddenly gave way, and caused him to lose his balance and fall head foremost into the river. All who could 1>» •>{:' n<u lent a hand to search for the body, which was continued far into the night, and recom-m-need early > next morning. Several Maoris did all they could by diving, and remained long in the w.ttor ;it a time for that purpose. Eventually the body was found by Mr George Devey who picked it up, about 90 yards below where the accident took place, with a double set of grappling hooks. The river b*d at the place, which is close under the high bank, takes a sudden dip from some 7 or 8 feet to about 12 feet, forming a regular hole of comparatively still water ; overhead, however, the direct downward current is rapid, and is crossed by <i second swift current ; setting toward* the river bank from about I th«) centre of the river. The body bore ; no marks of violence, and the clothes Were not torn with the exception of a rent in one leg of the Ironser caused by the grappling iron. Blood was oozing from the ears and lips slightly, and the lips wore somewhat cut. The forehead too showed a slight bruise. Generally speaking though the featuies wore a very phieid appearance and there was nothing to lead one to suppose the struggle for life was prolonged. The body way imm-jdiately covered with sheets •and conveyed to the Robin Hood Hotel, to await the inquest. Much sympathy is felt and expressed on every side for the afflicted parents thus suddenly bereaved of thuir child. The poor lad was a skilful horseman for his age, and a general favorite with his companions.