NGARUAWAHLA. Serious Accident to Mr Elrington Laing.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1260, 27 July 1880, Page 2

NGARUAWAHLA. Serious Accident to Mr Elrington Laing.

It becomes our painful duty to record a melancholy accident to Mr Laiug, a gentleman whose steiling worth has rendered him popular throughout the Waikato. It appears that Messrs Laing and Lamb were out together riding some four miles from Ngaruawahia, in the direction of Whatawhata, about 3 o'clock p.m. on •Saturday. Mr Laing, according to his companion's account, forced an unwilling horse over a wattle fence, and the animal stumbled on tillage ground, threw his rider, fell, and pressed with his rear on the rider's head, causing at once a concussion of the brain. Mr Lamb, having immediately procured the assistance of Mr Kenneth Morrison, had him conveyed into that gentleman's residence, which is about five miles from Ngaruawahia, where he still lies. Intelligence of the sad event having reached Ngaruawahia, several gentlemen proceeded with all possible despatch to render any aid in their power. Dr Sandes, who was sent for at once, arrived in a few hours and remained over night, returning to Hamilton and riding back on Sunday. The train brought Dr Blunden from Te Awamutu yesterday, and both medical men concurred in opinion as to the nature of the injury. It will be welcome news to the numerous friends of the patient that his state, though perilous, is not at all hopeless, according to medical advice ; nay, even that he showed symptoms of marked improvement up to a late hour yesterday. He has lucid intervals, in which he has sufficient consciousness to recognise people and to speak and answer cjuestions distinctly. This was noticeable especially on the arrival of Father Golden on Sunday evening and again yesterday. Indeed, the clergyman felt himself warranted to administer the rites of the Church, and expressed himself quite pleased with the patient. It may here be mentioned that the priest made the journey, fully four miles from Rangiaohia, to the scene of the occurrence in 3hrs. 20mins., starting from the former place at a quarter to 1, and aniving at his destination at 4.5 p.m. That was at the rate of 1 2 miles per hour ; and with only one change of horses at Mofiiiifs, Hamilton. The attention to the patient, both of the family with whom lie lies and of numbers of gentlemen in the neighborhood and from Ngaruawahia is beyond all praise. Horsemen are to be met with to and from the township at all hours, and every fresh bulletin is eagerly devoured ; so universal is the esteem for Mr Laing and so anxious are all to hear of his state. If prayers and good wishes avail aught, surely he has them from people of all shades of belief.