BROWNING OF THE HON. H. CHAMBERLAIN.

Evening Star, Issue 7497, 16 April 1888, Page 2

BROWNING OF THE HON. H. CHAMBERLAIN.

AUCKLAND, April 16,

The Hon. H. Chamberlain was found drowned last night in a water-hole near Drury. He has been missing since Thursday, but was supposed to have returned to Auckland. He had gone to Drury to look after some property belonging to him there, and on Thursday last went out with a spade and bucket. Telegrams arriving from Mrs Chamberlain inquiring when he was coming home aroused the suspicion that something was wrong, and a search resulted in the finding of his body. It is supposed that he accidentally fell into a pit or well dug by the diggers in order to collect water. Mr Chamberlain was prospecting for coal at the time that he met his death. [Special to the Star,] WELLINGTON, April 16. Later particulars show that deceased has for some time been prospecting for coal on some property of his own near Drury. On Thursday morning he left Auckland for Drury, intending to return at night. On Saturday night Mrs Chamberlain was inquiring at the Auckland railway station if anything had been seen of her husband, as he had not returned. She then stated that he was subject to fainting fits, and she feared that he had fallen into a hole. She left Drury by this tnuruiug’s train, and was not informed of her husband’s death until her arrival at Papakura. Your Drury correspondent wires that about a month ago Mr Chamberlain sank a shaft about four feet deep while prospecting for coal. On Thursday he came up by train, borrowed a spade and bucket from the wife of a railway saying that he would return them in the evening. As he did not return to Drury it was thought that he had gone to Humuia station, which he sometimes did. On Sunday evening Mr Coasy, a settler, found Mr Chamberlain’s coat, collar, and necktie hanging on a tree near the prospecting hole. A search party was then organised, and Mr Chamberlain’s body found in the hole. The boots were off, and the trousers rolled up to the knees. It is supposed that while the deceased was bailing out the water he fell in head first, and, being unable to extricate himself, was drowned.