DEATH OF THE HON. HENRY CHAMBERLIN, M.L.C.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9030, 17 April 1888, Page 5

DEATH OF THE HON. HENRY CHAMBERLIN, M.L.C.

FOUND DROWNED AT DRURY. A profound sensation was caused in town yesterday when the tidings circulated that the Hon. Henry Chamberlin, M.L.C, had been discovered lying dead in a waterhole, on his estate, at Waikaukau, near Drury. The news came to hand in the following telegram, which Inspector Broham received from Constable Knight, of Papakura, and which briefly related the salient points of the melancholy occurrence:—

Tho Hon. Henry Chamberlin. M.L.C, was found dead in a waterhole about four ioet in depth. Tho deceased arrived from Auckland on the 12th instant, for tho purpose of prospecting for coal on his estate, and borrowed n, bucket and spade from Mrs, Brooks, who resides on part of the estate. Deceased promised to return the implements that evening, but did not return. James Cossoy, a fannor, found decoased'e coat and waistcoat hanging on tho branch of a tree near the waterhole where deceased was discovered. Air. Cosscy carao on to Drury and roported tho finding of those articles to tho stationmaster. Mr. Cossey returned in company with David McHurney, Joseph Flannaghan, 'I nomas Brooks, and R. Brooks. After a little search they found the body of deceased in a watorholo near to thu place where the clothes were found hanging. Deceased had dug tho hole himself in company with Mr. Brooks about three weeks and apparently deceased was in the act of baling out the hole to sink deeper. It is supposed deceased mot his death on Thursday. No marks of violence were found upon the body, which was removed to the Railway Hotel, Drury, whore it now lies.

For nearly a quarter of a century the deceased gentleman has been impressed with the belief that on his estate at Waikaukau there would be found valuable seams of coal, and at one time when it was in possession of a former owner, trial workings were made. For months past Mr. Chamberlin has gone up to Drury by the morning train, and roamed about the hills on his block looking for signs of coal, or in sinking holes with a spade in the hope of rinding coal seams, returning to Auckland by tho evening train. Over a month ago he took a lad named Brooks on one of his expeditions, and put down a shaft about 5 feet deep, 4 feet wide at tho base, and some 7 feet in length, situated lengthwise in a gully, down which trickled a small stream. It was in this shaft, or hole, where the unfortunate gentleman met his death, and where he appears almost to have literally dug his grave. Mr. Chamberlin left Auckland on Thursday morning last, and left his overcoat and travelling bag with Mrs. Brooks (tho mothor of the lad Brooks), saying lie would como back for them. On this occasion ho did uot take the lad Brooks with him on goiug to tho estate. He did not come back as he promised, but it was conjectured he might have gone on to Hunua, as was occasionally his habit, or passed in the

train, for having the " free pass" of a member of the Legislature he did not require to call at the ticket office. Mr. Chamberlin had arranged to meet a party later on, who intended to examine the land for coal; but although disappointed at not meeting him, they went on their way, under the impression ho had been railed away elsewhere. The first intimation of fears that all was not right was the arrival at six o'clock on Sunday evening of Mr. Cossey, jun., at Mr. Brook's residence, and who informed him that he had found Mr. Chamberlin's coat, collar, and necktie suspended on a branch of a tree, and his umbrella placed beside it, but his hat was not to be seen. The bucket which had been got for baling out was beside the shaft, and the "billy" was floating on the water. DISCOVERY OF THE BODV. Mr. Howard, the stationmaster at Drury, on being made acquainted with the circumstances, at once organised a search party, consisting of Messrs. Flannigan, Mcßurnie, Brooks, senior and junior, and Mr. Cossey, junior, who went straight to the water hole, which they reached at dusk, and lamps had to be used in the search. A

long pole was procured, and on putting: it down the body was discovered, and speedily raised to the surface, and identified as that of Mr. Chamberlin. The body was taken down to the Railway Hotel, Drury, at a late hour, to await the usual coroner's inquest. On returning to Drury Mr. Howard rode to Papakura and acquainted Constable McKnight of the affair. THE THEORY OF DECEASED'S DEATH.

Yesterday forenoon Detective Herbert and Constable McKnighb baled out the shaft, and found the missing hat of deceased and the spade at the bottom of the hole. It is believed that deceased had finished baling, and was about to resume work in deepening the shaft when he was seized with a fit of some kind and fell down in the hole, and either died then or was drowned while in a state of unconsciousness through the water flowing into the hole from the trickling stream referred to above. The trousers of deceased were rolled up to the knees, and his watch in his pocket was stopped at five minutes to seven o'clock. It was known that he was subject to fainting fits and heart disease, and Mrs. Chamberlin, with a presentiment that something was wrong, owing to her husband not returning to Auckland, went to the Auckland railway station and made enquirias about him, but could receive no information. She also tried to telegraph to Drury, but, being an eight o'clock station, was unable to get communication. On Sunday, after se\*eral attempts, she at length succeeded in telegraphing to Drury, only to receive a reply that " Mr. Chamberlin had not been seen or heard of since he arrived." The result was that she left for Drury early yesterday morning by the Waikato train, only to le<arn at Drury that her melancholy forebodings were realised. THE INQUEST AND FUNERAL. An inquest was held yesterday on the body of deceased at the Railway Hotel, Drury. It was held by Captain Jackson, R.M., who acted as coroner. After hearing the evidence adduced, the jury returned a %'erdict of "Accidentally drowned." The remains were brought to town by last night's Waikato down train. The funeral will kike place this afternoon from Messrs. Winks and Hall's establishment, Shortlandstreet, at three o'clock. MR. CHAMnEHLIN"'s CAREER. Mr. Chamberlin was an old settler of over 30 years' standing, and came here with some means, which he invested to a large extent in land. His brother Charles, now dead, resided on Chamberlin's Island, one of deceased's purchases. Hβ had also a considerable amount of land in the Raglan district, which latterly he had determined to bring into the market, and thus remove one of the grievances of the settlers. It was only last week he called upon Mr. T. B. Hill, chemist, of Queen-street, who is interested as a landholder in the district, and said that on coming back from Drury he ■would go to Raglan and prospect his Raglan block for coal. In political life he was not particularly successful. He failed to get into the provincial Council, but was called to the Upper House in 1869. Latterly he had turned his attention to inventions for suppressing the rabbit nuisance. For many years Mr. Chamberlin was a director of the South British Insurance Company, and one of the largest shareholders, but at the last meeting he retired from the directorate. Yesterday, as a mark of respect to the memory of the deceased, the flags of the South British buildings were flying halfmast. Mr. Chamberlin contemplated vieiting England. He had let his residenco, Gladstone Road, Parnell, for six months, and had taken apartments temporarily near the Albert Park. He leaves one daughter, who is married to Mr. James Laing, formerly in the office of the New Zealand Shipping Company in Auckland, but now residing at Gisborne. Mrs. Chamberlin, as may be imagined, was greatly distressed yesterday on receiving the tidings of the tragic death of her husband.