LAWRENCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10422, 26 July 1895, Page 4

LAWRENCE.

(JFaoii Our Own Correspondent.)

July 25. A fatal accident happsned yesterday afternoon to one of our oldest and most respected citizens— Mr William Hay,-blacksmith, of this town. It appears, it being the' half-holiday, he went out during the afternoon rabbit-shooting, and as he did not return by dusk fears were entertained that lie had met with an accident. A search party was instituted, anil his body was found in one of Messrs Potts Bros.' paddocks at Greenbank farm, with a gunshot wound iv his cheat. It is supposed from' tha surrounding circumstances that he had climbed over a wire and goree hedge from mi avenuo into tha psd'iock, and, aftßr getting over himself, lie had reached over for his guv, apparently cati-htng it by the barrel, and by uoi»e means —probably hy catching iv the hedgeit was discharged, the vrhols of the contents lodging in his chest Death must have been instantaneous. Ke leaves a wife and eight children to moura their untimely loss. I nead hardly say that great sympathy is felt for them iv thcr bereavement. I know of no one more universally liked and respected than the decoded. Be was aii boueet, industrious, steady, upright man, a good neighbour, an hu>.i,,ind and father ; aud, having hctn leader of the choir aud iv lid wise identified actively with the Presbytoritiii Church, he will be greatly misted.

Seveial deaths have ocenvrod latsiy amongst youui; children through bronchitis, Mr It. Grniu and Sir Joseph Br.-oks each 10-uig oae during the past werk. The winter ii r.nu&ually severe, and the cold intense.