OHINEMURI.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2176, 24 December 1875, Page 2

OHINEMURI.

Per Pigeon Express.

FBOM OUE OWN COBEESPONDENT.

Mackaytown, This day, 10.30 a.m. Fatal Accident.

About 10 a.m. yesterday Mr Chas. Bobinson arrived at the police camp, Mackaytown, and reported to Inspector Newall the particulars of the death by drowning of Nathan Partington. It appears that a party of five,_cqnsistinß of Chas. Bobinson and his two sons, Chas. Franklyn, and Nathan Partington were coming in from Waitawheta intending to proceed to the Thames for'the purpose of spending the Christmas holidays. They arrived at the Ohinemuri crossing at 9.30 a.m. Bobinson and Partington attempted to cross on horseback while the other three fortunately remained on the bank. The former with some difficulty succeeded in reaching shore, but the latter was swept by the eddying current down the stream.. Bobinson while crossing gave directions which Parting* ton was unable to follow, as by this time he had lost all control over his horse. He was seen to retain his seat in the saddle for about 100 yards, when a bend in the river hid him from the view of the two young Bobinaons and Franklyn, who of course, were powerless to assist him. They went down along the bank of the river for some distance, but they did not again see him. As soon as the matter was reported to Sub-Inspector Newall he immediately rode out, and with a native who accompanied him all possible places were examined, and a good search made, but without discovering any trace of the body. They examined as far down as the rocky point, near the Banyan claim. This is the fourth shallow below the crossing, and immense boulders.lie strewn in the bed of the river, and it is probable that the body has been Intercepted somewhere here. Later on during the day a search party of constabulary found the body of the horse without saddle or bridle, wedged in against some rocks. They disengaged it and let it float down the stream, but it was again arrested by a shoal opposite the Banyan. Up to dusk yesterday and again this morning watches of Constabulary were placed at different points so as to. observe floating objects. The river is still at flood, and as yet there have been no tidings of the recovery of the body. The deceased is well known at the Thames, and lately was in the employ of Chas., Franklyn a settler at Waitawheta.