CROMWELL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2258, 10 June 1897, Page 25

CROMWELL.

Fatality. — The particulars I telegraphed about the unfortunate drowning of MrR. Falconer, one of the partners in M'Lay's dredge, were hardly correct. It seems that deceased and his mate on the shift were sitting eating their supper, about 4 a.m., when Watt, the mate, showed Falconer his finger, which having beeu slightly hurt by the winch, was bleeding, and the blood was soiking through the rag the finger was bound in. Falconer told him to go and bind it up again. Watt went away and did so, and when he came back Falconer was gone, not the slightest sound having been made to t,how that he had fallen into the river. It seems that deceased was unable to look upon blood, the sight of which sometimes caused him to faint. It is supposed that Falconer, who was sitting with his back to the water, fainted at the thought of the blood and fell over backwards into the river; otherwise he could have cried out on falling from the dredge, and beiug a good swimmer could easily have swum either to shore or to the tailings, which rose above the water at the stern of the dredge. The dredge has been shifted, and the pool above the tailings dragged, but so far without success. The dredge is working ia a side channel, not in the main stream, and the water is comparatively shallow. Deceased was of a jolly, kindly disposition, and was much liked by all who came in contact with him.

Record Reion. — Tb.6 littte town of Cromwell U not going to bs outclcne in showing its loyalty to the Queer* and its unity with the reit of thfct great empire on which tie sun never sets. On

Record Reign day there ii to be a picnic anf sports for the children, and ib the evening bon« fires, an illumination, and a display of fireworks, the main object of these proceedings being to impress upon the minds of the young people that they are British citizens, and to make use of the happy circumstance of the Queen's having com* pleted the sixtieth year of her reign to infuse some patriotism into them. A considerable amount has been subscribed towards defraying the necessary expenses.