SHOCKING OCCURRENCE AT THAMES".

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13308, 8 January 1912, Page 2

SHOCKING OCCURRENCE AT THAMES".

TWO PEOPLE CUT TO PIECES.

[United Pkess Association.]

Thames, Jan 7. A shocking accident occurred on Saturday night on the Kauaerarfgß river railway bridge, near Thames. Upon the arrival' at Thames of the 9.20 train the driver was making the usual examination'of the engine when ho discovered a man's cap on the front portion, nnd blood stains, hair, ,«ud pieces of flesh proved beyond doubt that a fatality had occurred. , The police were communicated with, and ii. search was commenced, the awful discovery being made that two persons had met their death with startling suddenness. The body if Walter .Miller, aged 36 years, a local carrier, was found in the river, while the body o/,', a half caste native- woman, Piri To Pere, aged 40 years, was found on tho bridge terribly mutilated. The man. was found near, the river bank, and the woman on a sleeper some distance, from the bank. How the fatality occurred is a mystery. The engine dri-. vor did not feel a. hump, and. though,, ho kept a good look out ho saw no, one. Tho presumption is that the couple, not knowing of tho holiday change in tho trains, thought tho last train had passed. After crossing the, bridge they sat down and had fish and beer and went to sleep.