THE RECENT MINING ACCIDENT AT WAIORONGOMAI. DEATH OF MR. REED.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 223, 8 October 1887, Page 2

THE RECENT MINING ACCIDENT AT WAIORONGOMAI. DEATH OF MR. REED.

Mr. Groiiob Rkkd, one of the two in n injured l>y thp explosion of vitro glycerine »t the Colonist mine, Wi\iorongomai, on Thursday, 29th alt., parsed away at an early hour (about 3 o'clock) on Sunday morning last. After the accident tho poor fellow suffered very greatly from intense pain but mortification having at last, sut in his sufferings were much less for some time prior to his dent.i. He was quite conscious to the very last, and told those around him he war quite prepared to go, in fa«*t his dcplh-bed wns a rery happy one. Death was the rssu't of the great shock to the system, occasioned by the explosion, mo/c than from direct injuries sustained although they were very severe. During Sundqy many of his old frionds and others went to express their sympathy with Mrs Reed in her trouble j and deep regret was felt and expressed on every hand when it became known Mr Reed had succumbed to the injuries received. The funeral took place on Monday afternoon, leaving Waiorongomai a little before three for To Aroha Cemetery, j Previous to the funeral Hcv Mr Lawry, I assisted by Rev Jas. Mashall held a short servico in tho house of Mr H. H. Adams. Tho remains were conveyed on an open hearse, in the carriage immediately behind which were Mrs Reed and \ Mr Adams. A number of vehicles ! and horse nnd foot men followed. The hearse was preceded by Rev. Mr La wry, and a number of intimate friends of Mr Reed, gome of whom had come all the way from Thames to pny this last mark of rospjet to deceased. Passing through tho town hymns were sung " There's a beautiful land on high ". 1 Safe in the Arms of Jesus," etc,), the Affect being mostple.tsing as representing the bright side of death, for those prepared when the summons comes. At the grave Rev. Mr Lawry admonished those assembled to seek pardon and forgiveness of their sins, whilst their was yet time ; and several hymns were sung at the grave. Deceased was fifty years of age, and came to the colony (Auckland) twenty three years ago, from Cornwall, his native county. lie was a skilful miner who spent some time at Coromandel, but shortly after the Thames gold field broke out, he removed to Thames and was there employed for an umber of years, principally in 1 lie Kurunui mine. From the Thames he removed a few years ago to Te Aroha West, having taken tip a farm on the deferred payment system from Uovernment and here he resided

up to the ctoj'of the fatal acrMenf, Ho was n man highly respecte-l by fill who knew liiiTi, and u ho enjoyed flic full confidence of his employers ; tie \\,n also a pledged totail ahUuiivr. He was , married twice since he c.une to the colony ; by his first wife lie leaves two soiih,, jbiie, eldest bcim; about 14 years of a«o His second wife, who no\y survive* him, was at, the tune of their marriage a widow with one son, now a young man about 2u yea is of a^e. We understand that at the request of deceased fronds, Rev. Mr Lawry will preach a funeral sermon at Waioi")ngomai to-morrow week. No inquest or enquiry has been hel 1 respecting the death of Mr Reed, and the cause of the accident, and wo understand it has been decided nojie is necessary. Mr Thos. Scott, \rho in company with Heed, received severe injuries as • result of the explosion, suffered a good deal of pain up to Sunday forenoon, when he expeiienced a turn for i.ic better, and has been progressing favourably, although slowly, towards recovery since.