HOTEL-KEEPER DROWNED AT THAMES.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 157, 19 June 1886, Page 7

HOTEL -KEEPER DROWNED AT THAMES.

t Thames, June 16. A sad case of drowning occurred in Shortland Harbour last evening, the unfortunate victim being Mr C. E. Dod, licensee of the Duke of Edinburgh ffGtel. It appears that he was missed by one of his sons about 8 o'clock, and shortly afterwards a search was instituted, which resulted in his hat being found in the river, which was then dragged, but the body was not recovered until midnight, when Captaias -Bettis and Jones found it lying on the mud opposite the residence of Mr Gibbons, and about 200 yards from the railway embankment. Deceased was in the habit of fishing from the Shortland Wharf in the evening, and it is conjectured that while thus engaged he fell overboard into the river and was drowned. Deceased was a widower, and has three children, the youngest being 15 years ©f age. He was much respected, being of a most obliging disposition, and the sad occurrence will be much regretted in Auckland, where he is well known.

The discovery of a payable goldfield at Waitakerei would not only be a great benefit to Auckland, but would prove a valuable boon to the discoverer, who would be the recipient of a handsome Government bonus. Gold has already been found in that district in stuff yielding 15dwts to the ton, and as this waß got by mere surface scratching, much better results may be expected when reefworking is started. In these circumstances much interest attaches to the meeting called for to-night in the Foresters' Hall, Karangahapo Road, to consider what steps should be taken to prospect Waitakerei District for gold and other metals. It is, we believe, to offer a reward for the discovery of precious metals, so that prospectors may be induced to make a complete search.