THE LATE MR JOSEPH BLAYAIIRES.

Marlborough Press, Volume IX, Issue 576, 29 January 1868, Page 3

THE LATE MR JOSEPH BLAYAIIRES.

As we stated some time back, Mr Jos. Blayimires left his home in Picton, on the 28th of •December last, to visit his wife and daughter at Renwiektown, intending to spend with them •a few days’ holiday. Monday and Tuesday .passed without any tidings of him at that place, and on Wednesday some anxiety was manifested at his non-appearance. His son, William Bhiy•niires, then telegraphed, enquiring if lie had returned back to Picton. On finding that he had not done so, he came to the conclusion that some accident must have befallen him at some of the rivers, and immediately set out in search of him. Tidings were heard of him from the Eerry all •along to Spring Creek, until he came to Jellyman’s, which was the last place he had been seen -alive. The deceased there asked for instructions ■as to the ford, and received all the necessary •information about it from Mr. Geo. Jelly man. From that time he was never again seen alive. At the latter end of that week, when each succeeding day tended to strengthen the evidence that something serious must have happened to -him, every man in Renwiektown, and many of the settlers of Spring Creek, as also the police, turned out in search. But still no trace could 'be found of him dead or alive. His son and son-in-law, Mr Bary, then determined on having •a thorough systematic search, which they did by commencing about a mile above the ford where he was supposed to have attempted to ■cross, along botli sides of the river, and to ■the beach at the Boulder Bank, but still without success. During this time there had been a heavy flood in the river, and they almost dispaired of ever seeing anything of the body, if he had been drowned, as they supposed. His son, however, still kept up the search until last Monday week, when he gave up, intending to •wait until the latter end of this week, should the river be low. On Sunday evening last, •a telegram was received in Picton stating that •the body had been found, which proved to be Jtrue. A Mr Ford, of Spring Creek, had been out bathing on Sunday morning with another -man, and afterwards had taken a stroll some short distance down the river, when he felt an unpleasant odour. On coming to the spot where it eniinatcd from, he found it was the body of Air Blaymires. Thus, after all the searching, the body was found by accident; and were it not so, it most likely would never have been found, as from the nature of the spot where it lay, search might have been made for weeks without success. We need hardly say that the body was in a very decomposed state. Below will be found a report of the inquest, which was held at Shepherd’s Grove Hotel, at the Bush, before Dr Williams, coroner, •on the 27th instant.

The following jury were empannelledGustaf Bary, John Carstairs, James Bislan, Charles Olilson, Owen Gallagher, Henry Humffries, Frank Rush, Timlin Harris, Edward Smith, -John Hedgelon, Alex. Herd, and John Humble (foreman.) After viewing the body, the following evidence was taken :

George Jeliyman, sworn, stated—l am a farmer, residing at Spring Creek. The last time 1 saw -the deceased alive was on the 28th of December, at about half-past two o’clock in the afternoon, lie asked me to direct him the way to Kenwicktown. I did not then know deceased’s name, but in subsequent conversation he told me. I said to him, if he thought the river was too high that I would take him across upon the horse ; but when I told him the river was up to his knees, he said lie thought he would be able to ford it. I did not see him alive again after he had gone about 300 yards from the house. I did not consider there was any danger for foot passengers to cross the ford. I crossed it myself the same day. At the time I saw deceased he was slightly the worse of liquor, but was not sufficiently so to render him incapable of crossing safely. I cautioned him as to the nature of crossing. There was a deep hole at the lower side of the ford. I advised him to keep high enough up. Daniel Ford, sworn, stated—l am a farmer, residing at Spring Creek. I saw the deceased on the 28th of December last. He was a stranger to me. He asked me the way to Kenwicktown. I told him he might either go by Jellyman’s, or round by Kedwood’s mill. He asked as to the state of the river. I told him I thought it was low. lie left in the direction of Kenwicktown. I never saw him alive again. The next time I saw him was when I found his body yesterday (Sunday, the 2Gth instant.) I recognised him by his clothes. When I found the body, it occurred to me that it was the body of Joseph Blaymires. I was sure by the clothes that it was the deceased. No one was with me when I found the body. I then got a man named Mills, who was living with me, to go and look at the body along with me, as also some of Robinson’s people. I told them it was the body of the deceased. There were five of us viewed the body at that time. I then sent a message to the police at Blenheim. I bad no doubt as to his crossing the river in safety. This being all the evidence that was taken, the Coroner made a few remarks, when the .jury, without any delay, returned a verdict of “Accidental death by drowning.” Afrer the inquest, the body was brought through to Picton, and was interred in the Cemetery. A large number of the inhabitants following his remains to their last resting place. Mr Blaymires has been for many years a resident in the province.

The first of the Fenian organisers, James Stephens, has published ft letter in the New York papers, dated from Prance, where he now is, as he himself confesses, in a state of destitution. He can hardly “ spare the price of n postage stamp.” When he gave his last coins for that purpose he did not know where he was to get food for next day. It was his desire to return to Ireland months ago, but he had not the means. Tie speaks bitterly of the treachery which he will in due time unveil. He is not well in health, but sicker in mind than body. Tie will “allow no subscription to be made for him—better death than that.” He denies that he has had luxuries at Irish expense, ami he still cherishes the inflexible resolution of working for the cause “ for which he Jives,” and in token of this signs himself, as formerly, “C. 0.1.11.” (Chief Organiser, Irish Republic).