THE ACCIDENT TO MR SINGLETON ROCHFORT.

Auckland Star, Volume XI, Issue 3163, 8 September 1880, Page 3

THE ACCIDENT TO MR SINGLETON ROCHFORT.

Mr Thos Lidijetter, of Lambton Quay, Wellington, average adjuster and notary public, is a member of the Society of Frienda (commonly called Quakers), and, like many of his brethren, he is highly educated, and of enlarged humauity aud beneficence. His private residence is on the Adelaide Road, near Island Bay, about throe milC3 from his oflice. Mr Kochtfort had known him and his family iv India. During Mr Rochfort's prolonged stay in Wellington Mr Lidbetter's house was his home, until Mr ttochfort took up his quarters at Orr's hotel, propaiatory to r6turning to Auckland. As it was not expected that the Hiuemoa would leave Wcllingtan for tho Mauukau before Tuesday, the 31st ult., Mr ltochfort had promised on Saturday, the 28th, to dino at Mr Lid better's on the following day, Suuday. On Saturday last, tho 4th inst., Mr Kochfort received a lcttor from his friend, of which the following is an extract : —

WELLINGTON, Sept. 1, 1880.

My dear Kochfort,—Wo duly looked for you at 1 p.m. on Sunday to our homely dinner, but as it was a very showery day, wo were not surprised that you did not come. On Monday morning, I saw by the paper that the Hiuemoa had sailed, aud as your trunk was " uon oat invontus," I was perfectly sure iv my own mind that you had accompanied Dr. Wallia in that vessel. Iv tho ovoning " Chronicle " on Monday was the following paragraph :—" A passenger by the steamer Ilinumoa had a uarrow escape from boing drowned on Saturday night, lie was hurryingover tho reclaimed land to the Railway Wharf, and fell over the breastwork. His ciios for assistance were heard, when ho was soon rescued from bin perilous position. This is not the first accident of the kind that has occurred, aud it would be well if the Government had a chain fence erected, which would somewhat provide against the danger." I only read this in tho evening after tea, and it was at onoo firmly fixed in my mind that you were tho unlucky patty alluded to. However, I hoped not. But yesterday, about noon, a policeman came with two envelopes all wringing wet, addressed to you to my care, and said they had been takon out of a carpet-bag brought them by a boatman, Jand as thero were other papers, I could have them and the bag by going for them I went accordingly, and brought the bag, which was open, to my oflice, aud shot out the contents on the floor. There were two or three shirts, socks, comb, brushes, &C, but all full of sand and shells aud dirt, and the papers nil in pulp, more or less. I wss quite at a loss what to do with tho bag aud clothes, as they all wanted so thoroughly well-wa-hing and cleaning and drying. I have some dozen letters or so which arc in progress of being dried and de-pulped, hanging all nrouud the oflice. The boatman said he carefully fished at low water, in ca»e thero should have been a body under water, as wcil as the bag. Ido hope that you are none tho worse for your mishap.—Your sincere friend, Thomas Liduetteb.