PATEA, Monday

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1828, 25 March 1884, Page 3

PATEA, Monday

A distressing occunenee happened heic on Saturday niglit. Miss Gaulner, stewardness of the \Va\eiley, and two young men named William MiteheUon and Thomas Lawienco, weie pioeeedmg to the vessel after witnessing B ondin's performances. The night was excessively diii k, and when thetliree were walking along the wliaif, Lawrence, who was on the outside, walkuloll, and caught hold of Miss Gardiner to s.i\e himself ; she in tin n caught Mitchelson, and the tlnee iell into the uvei. Mitchelson endeavoured to save Miss Gaidiner, but was unable. He managed to get out very much exhausted, and give the alarm. A party pioccedcd to the .spot and commenced diaggmg. Aftei about half an-houi-'s uoik the body ot Lawience was lecovt'icd close fo whcic they fell in, but Miss G.irdinei'b body was not found till next morning, about a quai tei-of a-mile down the riser. While the woik of diagging was going on a man named Quaiii came near losing Ins life. In the d.nkness he fell off the wharf, stiiking the woodwoik. He was with great difficulty lescued. Later An inquest was held to day, on the bodies of KatliPiiue Gardener, and Thomas Lawienoe di owned on Satin day. A veidict of accidental death was returned, tinder been added to the effect that the lailway authonties, who have coutiol over the w liait, should provide lights at night, al&o life buoys, and grappling nons in case of emergency arising.