TE AROHA. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Te Aroha, Monday Evening.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1853, 22 May 1884, Page 2

TE AROHA. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Te Aroha, Monday Evening.

A melancholy occurrence took place at Waiorongomai late on Friday evening last, when a lad of 17 or 18, named IJenjamm Kiliau, son of Mr KilLw of the Premier Hott-l there, met with an accident of so serious .1 nature that it has since terminated fatally. The unfortunate youtl. was employed at the battery on the night shift, and had b°en sent about 8 o'clock, along \\ ith another Lid, up the water-iaoe a slioit distance to clear away some obstruction. They cai ried a lantern with them, the nisrht being dark and the way rather intnoate. Ou the track a narrow gully had to be crossed over which a couple of planks were thrown as a bridge, a hand rail being also attached. The planks inclined slightly downwards to one end, and some vain having fallen they were rather slippery, which circumstance suggested to the deceased lad the idea of having a slide. The other disapproved of it, but Kilian ventured to do so, and the first time got safely across. He made a second attempt, but slid over the side, and fell headlong into the gully some 20 feet below. The companion unable to do anything by himself in the darkness at once ran for assistance, which was quickly procured, and the poor lad was picked up insensible and carried to his home witnout delay, where, on examination, it was found he had sustained very seuous injuries about the head and back. He never recovered consciousness, bub lingered on until 5 o'clock on Saturday afternoon at which hour he expired. An inquest was held to-day, when a verdict of accidental death was returned. The funeral took place immediately afterwards, and was the most largely attended that has been seen in the district, general sympathy being felt for the bereaved parents in the untimely death of their only son. The Shaftesbury settlement, w Inch, as may be remembered, was formed under the auspices of Messrs Grant and Foster, the noted Lincolnshire farmer, seems doomed to share the same f.ite as nearly nil other settlements of the special kind. The place was long since deserted by many of the poorer classes, for w honi the prospects of making tor themselves the comfortable homos pictured to them on leaving the Old Country were very slender indeed, and others have been departing from time to time as they found openings elsewhere. Some of the wealthier class seem also to be dissatisfied, and inclined to bet ike themsclve to fresh fields. Amongst them is Mr E. Y. Cox, who is now leaving the district with the intention of settling in Auckland. Our footballers are now in training, and a picked team has been selected to proceed to the Thames to try conclusions with the men of Quartzopolis. Last season two very exciting matches, in which neither side could lay claim to victory, were played between, the rival clubs, and as on this occasion both parties seem confident of success, the event is looked forward to with considerable interest. It is to be hoped the season will not pass over without a tussle between our men and one or other of the Waikato clubs. The rainfall of Thursday and Friday last was not so copious as was expected. It has, however, been productive of much good to the farming community, and also, though in a lesser degree, to the mining iutvrest. The battery has once moro been going full swing, but to keep it up more rain will quickly bs wanted, as, owing to the parched nature of the ground, the timely showers of last week were absorbed almost as they fell. The most important item of mining news during hist week was the finding of good payable stone in the rise from the low level in the Inverness claim. As excellent quartz already exists in the upper drive about 40 feet overhead, there is eveiy likelihood that a large quantity of paying stuff will shortly be available for crushing. Rich stone is also being got in the Diamond Gully Cos. low level. Negotiations for the new battery are still pending. >