WAIOTAHI.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 6, 9 January 1899, Page 2

WAIOTAHI.

After about a fortnight's actual working of the battery at the Waiotahi mine cleaning up took place for a yield of lOloz of retorted gold, value £279. This really concludes the re. turn from this mine for the past year. LOCAL. d-yl The North Shore Native Regatta was brought to a conclusion on Saturday afternoon when the paddle steamer Enterprise was blown up in the Rangitoto Channel. The paddle steamers Eagle and Osprey, with large numbers of passengers, left for the scene of the explosion at about half past two. A couple of submarine explosions were made, and then the mine underneath the Enterprise was fired. The charge was 200 pounds of guncotton, and was placed in position under the supervision of Captain Coyle, R.E. When the electric button was pressed the mine exploded and the vessel was blown to splinters, while a column of water shot up to a height of about 150 feet. The falling debris covered the water for about 100 yards round where the vessel was anchored.

An inquest was held on Saturday afternoon on the body of Alfred Burnand. Evidence was given by the young man's father, by his brother and by Dr. Coom. No new facts were elicited. Dr. Coom was quite sure the affair was accidental. After a careful examination of the circumstances he was of the opinion that deceased had rested the butt of the gun on the bed while cleaning the outside, and that while the barrel was in a line with his eye, the rag caught the trigger, and exploded the cartridge. The jury returned /a verdict of accidental death, no blame attachable to anyone.