BRIGHTON.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 510, 29 May 1869, Page 2

BRIGHTON.

THE LATE FATAL ACCIDENT. (PEOil OUR OWN COBKESPONDEST.) Bkightou, May 24. I must defer my weekly summary of general local news in order to put you in possession without unnecessary delay of certain circumstances and events which occurred here recently. On Saturday the 22nd instant a public meeting was convened for the purpose of taking into consideration the best means of furthering the mining interests of the district generally. At S p.m. a large number of the resident here attended at Kelly's hotel for that purpose. On Mr Patterson being voted to tho chair, that gentleman oifered a few brief observations touching the nature of the meeting and the good object for which they were assembled. He stated that it wasun-. necessary for him to press upon the attention of the meeting the importance of the subject under consideration, or the pleasing results which, j would follow from the discovery of | new and payable ground. He would without further preface call upon Mr Kelly to introduce the prospecting party and explain more fully the object of the meeting. Mr Kelly, in rising, stated that the inhabitants' here had all a common duty to perform. It was a well known fact they were residing in a rich auriferous district, in the stability of which he had great confidence. He believed if a few sterling men were equipped and sent out success would attend them. The party he was about to introduce to them were honafide miners. They were very sanguine of success themselves. They would not require much, save " tucker," and if payahla ground was discovered they were prepared to return the subscriptions collected. He begged therefore to introduce tho Messrs Coll and party, consisting of four first-class men, who have been recently engaged in mining operations at the Karamana rush. Several resolutions were proposed and carried by Mesrs Kimtner, Holieston, and Slattery, in furtherance of the object under consideration, and a committee has been formed to collect subscriptions with out delay. A sad accident took place here today which resulted in the death of a man known as Robert Kymc, alias " Torkoy," who was drowned in Fox's river about 2 p.m., when attempting : to cross at the first ford. An inquest was held in the Court house, about 4 p.m., before Mr Broad, . the Coroner, and a jury. The following is a summary of the eri\ i deuce : —Mr "Williams deposed: I , am a chemist residing at Greymoutn, to which place I was passing about the ; time the accident occurred. I left i Slattery's hotel this afternoon about a i quarter past two, and, on getting over the first hill, about a quarter of a mile i from Brighton, I saw deceased sitting . on horseback on the other side of the ■ river. I saw deceased turn the horse'* head to tho river apparently, t> • cross, and then hurried on to see hifl l cross over, as I felt rather doubtfti i about doing so myself. I saw the hor* r rolled over by the force of the current f when about half-way through, the del ceased falling into the river. SoiW ) little time after I saw deceased rise W • the surface. He appeared to be holdt ing on to the horse. He sank again fa- - mediately. The horse also sank * 5 next saw himriso in the deep hole under i the cliff, in the further side of the : river. He only partially came to the r surface. He then sank, and did not f rise again. I rode back at once to 1 Brighton, and gave information to the T police, who accompanied me up the b river. When we got opposite M* 1 Hill's place one of the police saw the a body of deceased in a shallow fork oi e the river. I rode nx, and succeeded in bringing the body'out iato tw

shallow water, when several persons carried it out. His horse was drowned. ]\frs Hinds deposed : I have seen the body of deceased, and recognise it as that of a man who has heen engaged clearing land for my husband up the river. I only knew him by the name of "Torkey." The horse he was riding was one he generally used for crossing the river. Sergeant Goodall gave evidence as to the finding of the body. The Coroner in summing up stated there was no doubt about the manner in which Kyme met his death, and a verdict of accidental death by drowning was recorded. Mr WilHams, immediately after the body of deceased was recovered, had tried the usual means of restoring animation, but without success. The horse ridden by "Torkey" was old aud miserable, and scarcely strong enough to carry a boy, let alone a man of "Yorkey's" weight and build. There was a good fresh in the river at the time of the accident, but nothing dangerous. This is the second case of drowning in our river within a very short period. We had a visit to-day from the Eev. Mr Flavell, incumbent of Charleston and Bx'ighton, for the first time. Notwithstanding the inclemency of the we ather there was a very fair attendance at the church at 8 p.m. The rev. gentlemen appeared to produce a profound impression on the minde of his hearers, and such, in connection with the courteous and gentlemanly demeanour displayed on the occasion, have won for him golden opinions. Her Majesty's Birthday passed over «ry quietly. The fatal accident no Joubt checked any hilarity or amusement which may have been intended as a means of celebrating the occasion.