FEARFUL TRAGEDY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 229, 20 June 1872, Page 7

FEARFUL TRAGEDY.

(From a Correspondent.)

A fcarfnl tragedy happened to a traveller on his way from the Teviot to Alexandra last week. It appoars by his statement he did not know whether it was a dream or reality. He says he was riding on horseback, and about half-way between die two places he met a very intelligent quartz miner, and by conversing with him found he could talk by the fathom — in fact you could coil it into a rope, it came out so thick. His prospects were very encouraging — rich quartz reef, ample supply of \i r ater, for position not eg ualled in the country — it puts the Devils Creek in the shade ; a splendid opening for a scrip company, and by the aid of nitroglycerine, with one explosion, to show the good qualities of the reef. It

would cause such an excitement that the whole of the scrip would be taken up in oight-and-forty hours. It is to be done as easy as drinking ffoniu'ssy's brandy. In the first place, take the measurement of the mountain ; find its weight; calculate the distance where it would have to be deposited ; sink shafts ; deposit the combustible ; tamp the drives and shaft thoroughly, and make preparations for thunder and earthquakes. A second thought struck him : this mountain will be deposited into the Molyneux to form a dam, so as to work the bed of the river. lie would send for Pinkerton's bush, if he could get teams euough , make flumiug to convey the water a mile or two below; employ a thousand Chinamen ; clear out all the merchants of rice — a splendid speculation, no doubt. What would he do when the explosion took place ? why, get up a tree, to be sure. Now comes the trigedy, which. I will give in the travellei \- own words :—": — " My horse, being rather spirited and intelligent, took fright at he conversation, bolted with such terrific force that the sharp atmosphere acted very severe on my cranium, and when I en me to myself found I was within a few yards of the Butchers reef, being aroused by a fearful rumbling noise, which made mo think the past was a reality, thinking that the explosion had taken place. I found my garments were much the worse for the journey ; my hat and a portion of my head had disappeared. On looking round, I found my horse in a most frightful position. It appears, from over-exertion and fright, he took a severe trembling fit, with such force

that it dislocated his two fore, legs, which by great exertion, I got replaced, and started on my journey again, and with great difficulty arrived iv Alexandra. After a soda water and brandy, I felt quite recovered, and give the full particulars of my route, with the full intention not to travel that road again without company." Alexandra, Junc7.