MELANCHOLY AND FATAL ACCIDENT.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 30, 10 November 1871, Page 3

MELANCHOLY AND FATAL ACCIDENT.

A melancholy and fatal accident occurred by droAvning in the KauAvaeranga Creek yesterday morning, in the immediate vicinity of Bank’s slaughter yard. A boy named Joseph Quinn Avas bathing, and to all appearances had been attacked with cramp, Avlien he Avas noticed by a Avoman, avlio immediately raised a cry for “help.” This cry Avas instantly ansAvered by a man named Beaty, and tAvo others named Read and O’Leary, in the employ of Messrs Banks and McPlardy, avlio rushed to the spot. Beaty plunged in with bis clothes on, and Avas close alongside the droAvning boy Quinn, Avhen he called out to his mate (O’Leary), “ I am going. ” William Read, a lad of about sixteen years of age, age jumped into the Avater, and in endeavoring to save Quinn Avas caught hold of by Beaty, and very nearly succumbed to a like fate. Mr Carver, surveyor, at this time came up, and nobly dived in to the rescue. He succeeded in recovering first Mr Beaty, and afterwards Quinn, but although Drs Lethbridge and Croft were almost instantaneously on the spot, and used all the remedies of the Royal Humane Seciety in cases of droAvning. their efforts proved of no avail. Mr Beaty, avlio lost his life in the endeavour to save that of Quinn, leaves a Avife and six children totally unprovided for. He Avas formerly in the employ ef Messrs Carey and Gillies, and Avas respected by all avlio knew him, for his honesty and integrity. A subscription list in aid of liis AvidoAv and children has already been opened by Mr. Pulleine, who yesterday afternoon obtained subscriptions for the “Fund in aid of the AvidoAv and family of John Beaty” to the amount of nearly £3O. Sflbscription lists Avill be opened to-morrow at the neAvspaper offices and principal hotels, and it is to be hoped that the public Avill unanimously respond to aid the Avidow of one avlio lost His life Avhilst nobly endeavouring to save that of a folio av creature. We cannot omit mentioning the praiseAVorthy conduct of the lad Read, Avho has, in addition to liis attempt to save, liberally contributed to tlie fund. On the recommendation of Mr. Banks, avlio arrived this afternoon from Auckland, avo learn that Mr. Beaty had been appointed inspector of sheep for the Thames district.