THE LATE SAD ACCIDENT AT THE BATTERY.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 51, 24 May 1884, Page 2

THE LATE SAD ACCIDENT AT THE BATTERY.

Thk news that a serious accident, had occurred at the Battery (which we reported on Friday night week), turned out to be true. The sufferer proved to be the son of Mr »i. B. Kilian, proprietor of the Premier Hotel, Waiorongomai. Tt appears he was employed at the Battery, and on the night in question Avas working night shift. His regular work was that of a blanket washer. Between 7 and 8 o'clock on the night referred to he was sent with another lad to clear the gratings, in front of the main pipe, supplying the motive power t«? the battery. These gratings frequently require attention, in consequence of loaves, &c, accumulating All seems to have gone well until they had nearly reached the battery on the return journey, when it appears, from the evidence adduced at the inquest, that Kilian proposed to his companion that they should slide on the narrow bridge, upon which they were crossing the creek immediately behind the Battery. His companion objected, but poor Eilian appeared to think there was no n'sk, and commenced the dangerous amusement All appeared to have gone well until the second or third attempt, when he completely lost control over himself, and in spite of a hand-rail, fell right over the side of the bridge on to the creek bed below, some eighteen feet. Help was quickly on the spot, a doctor sent for, and the lad taken home. Dr Payne came tllrorigh from the Ti-arnes this day week, but could do nothing for him, nntl the poor fellow diod on Saturday evening about 9 oVock without ever regaining consciousness. He was buried in Te Aroha cemetery on Monday afternoon, the funeral stopping in To Aroha a short time en route to permit of an inquest ' being held at. the Court-house/ Large

numbers attended the funeral, and the {greatest sympathy is l»ei»# felt for the bercnved parents. He was an only son about 18 years of age, and from his amiability of character and many other t?ood qualities, was a universal favourite, and the sail occurrence has cast qaite a over the township.