PLUCK AND FORETHOUGHT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 332, 23 December 1880, Page 2

PLUCK AND FORETHOUGHT.

The following instance of pluck and forethought is from the Inangahua Times of Wednesday :—“ An accident which, owing to the presence of mind and pluck of one of the men concerned, fortunately did not result in any serious consequences, occurred' in the Energetic mine on Monday . It appears that the rope in the winding-shaft is out of repair rendering it dangerous to descend in the cage, which has been the usual custom. The men have therefore been ordered to go down to their work by means of ladders, which are erected for a distance of about 200 ft in a small shaft used for the purpose of access to the lower part of the mine. As the day shift was going down the ladders, the candle held by the topmost man, Richard Charles, burnt his hand, and caused him to let go his hold, and tumble down the shaft., The next man, about 20ft below him, hearing the scramble of Charles attempting to regain his hold of the ladder, instantaneously mastered the situaton, and, at immense risk to himself, threw his own body across the shaft in such a manner as to stop his further descent Being a big and powerful man he he succeeded in his plucky attempt, and prevented the falling man from passing him. Had not this been effected, the mishap would in. ■ all probability have resulted not only in the anoihi|ation, of Charles but would also destruction of five or six others’ below him, who would not have been ? able to

withstand the force of the lnt-i.r,sed . momentum, but would hav- lie.tr. sr.ept off the ladder and precipitatedj to jthe bottom, about IBolt. As it "fras. intrepedity of Hawkins saved ti;-’ and he escaped himself, as did •'Ciii’.vigs.j with only a few scratches. ■ 'ii ■ I