HON. H. CHAMBERLAIN FOUND DROWNED.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2460, 17 April 1888, Page 2

HON. H. CHAMBERLAIN FOUND DROWNED.

[BY TELEGRAPH.— OWN CORKKSPON'nENT.J Auckland, Monday. The community was startled this morning by the new? that the Htm. Henry Chamberlain, M.L,0., had been found dead in a water liolo. near Uniry. The facts appear to be that on Thursday last Mr Chamberlain left Auckland to go to some property of his at ])rury, to prospect for coal, ho having for soino time had an idea that there was coal on his place. Three weulcs ago, in company with a workman, Mr Chamberlain had done a little prospecting, and had <!u<* sundry holes on hid place, but on Thursday last, Mr Chamberlain appears to have gone alone. On that day he borrowed a spade and a bucket from a Mrs Brook;*, tolling her he would return them that night. When night came, however, the spade and bucket were not returned, nor did Mr Chamberlain himself put in an appeanuitie. However, nothing particularly was thought of it, as Mr Chamberlain was well-known to Mrs Brooks, and she thought that he had left them somewhere else, or that lm had not finished with chum. This morning a man named James Assey, a fanner near town, was on his way to Urury, when he saw a coat and vest hanging on a tree. Hβ reported this to the stationmaster at Dniry, and a search party was made up, and proceeded to the spot, where, after a little search, they found, in a water hole near !»y, the body of Mr Chamberlain, head downwards and heels in the air. From the position of the deceased it is surmised that ho was leaning over the hole, baling out the water, when a piece of earth gave way, and he was precipated into the hole, and that ho being unable to Ret his feet down was suffocated. The body was taken back to Drury, and now lies at the Railway Hotel to await the inquest.