LANDSLIP ON THE SHOTOVER.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume I, Issue 22, 15 July 1863, Page 4

LANDSLIP ON THE SHOTOVER.

LOSS OF SIX LIVES.

Though landslips have been pretty frequent on the Shotover River since the last heavy flood, they have chiefly been of a minor character, not involving the loss of life or any great destruction of property. One unfortunate exception to this rule has, however, occurred, about four miles above Moke Creek, the particulars of which, so far as we have been able to ascertain, it is now our painful duty to lay before our readers. It appears that on Sunday evening, the continued rising of the river, owing to the heavy rains of that day, had somewhat alarmed a party of miners living in the above locality, and they determined to watch all night, in case of any accident. Between 10 and 11, one of the men, named John Beli, resolved to cross a creek dividing their hut from three others on the other side, for the purpose of borrowing a watch. This creek—though usually containing but one sluice-head of water, was now rushing down with fearful rapidity, and nearly 3 feet deep—he safely crossed, and arrived at the hut, which was the lowest of the three. While there, a terrific roar echoed over the mountains, and an avalanche of stones, earth, trees, &c, came crashing down the incline, passing within three feet of the door of the hut. When the avalanche had passed, and the petrified inmates had in some degree recovered from their consternation, they rushed out with a light, to see the extent of the damage done, when a fearful sight met their gaze. The site of the hut which Bell had just quitted, and most of the ground about, was stripped to the bed-rock, and of the hut itself not a trace could be found. The two dwellings above were levelled, and partly carried away. A. voice calling for help, attracted the watchers, and going to whence the sound proceeded, they discovered a man jammed between some fallen logs, of which the hut was built, but who was quickly rescued. Another, however, was found dead in the same condition, the fall of the logs having killed him. Exposed to the driving storm, the survivors remained on the hill, in momentary expectation of seeing the only remaining hut swept away before their eyes. When morning dawned they were able to discover the cause of this direful mishap. The creek before-mentioned had not been sufficient to carry off the water which, being dammed back behind a bank had gradually accumulated, till, the founda-'

tions of the bank being itself partially washed away, the superincumbent pressure drove the bank bodily down before it in a slating direction, levelling the first two huts, just missing the third by two or three feet, and carrying the one on the opposite side of the creek bodily away, together with the unfortunates within it. Six lives were lost by this awful catastrophe, which has cast a deep gloom over the whole of the miners in the vicinity of the accident. The names of the sufferers are as follows: - William Buchan and Alexander M'lntosh —mates of Bell, carried away. Michael Townsend, aged 27, native of Callen, county Kilkenny. This body was afterwards found buried in the debris. Richard Aylward, aged 36 years, from near Galstown, county Kilkenny. Michael Cudohy, aged 24 years, native of Callen, county Kilkenny. John M'Donald. We understand that an inquest will shortly be held on the bodies of the deceased.