NAPIER.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8508, 30 June 1896, Page 3

NAPIER.

June 29. Earthquakes have been frequent of late here. Last week no less than five were experienced at intervals, of more or less severity, followed by a sharp shock at 6 o'clock last night. A fatal coach accident happened at Konini Gorge yesterday morning, by which Jno. Simmonds, groom at Konini for Mr G. M 'Donald, - and three horses were drowned. The usual coach road beine* impassable a drag with five horses, driven by Mr G. M 'Donald, together with the usual passenger coach, driven by Mr A. Knox, endeavored to come- by the old river route. After negotiating what is considered the mosb difficult portion of the road, including four crossings, Konini Gorge was reached m safety. When the drag (acting as pilot for the coach) attempted the Gorge, which appeared quite safe, the horses almost immediately got out of their depth and the drag was instantly submerged. Simmonds struck out for the shore and when lasb seen was swimming with the greatest confidence towards the bank. The two wheelers were drowned, but the three leaders managed to detach themselves from the coach and two escaped. No fears were entertained for Simmonds by either M 'Donald or Knox, he being a good swimmer, and it was not until they regained a position of safety that his disappearance was discovered. Tho water being terribly cold it is surmised that he was seized with cramp. The body is not yet recovered.