FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 106, 12 March 1879, Page 2

FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT.

The' Cluika Times' gives tho following $j details of a painful accident which was re- fl cently referred to in our telegraphic fi columns; A melancholy and fatal acci- ;T dent happened at the Taicri Beach on Friday last, tho 18th ult. Mr Robert Fairbairn, an industrious and respectable settler there, was engaged on that day threshing oats with a horse-mill. A fine active boy of his, twelve or thirteen years old, was driving the horses. By some means which the father cannot well account for, the boy got one of his legs entangled with the driving-shaft, which literally broke it in two below the kneo and nearly rent it asunder, leaving it attached only by flesh. Far away from any medical aid, the poor father's feelings can be better imagined than expressed. After binding up the mangled limb, it was agreed to remove the boy to Dunedin, a long journey of 35 miles. All that kind neighbors could do, all that an affectionthe father eould think upon, and all that a tender mother could suggest, was done to make the poor lad's bed easy on the sledge from his father'? house .to Waiholai After reaching Waihola,. about nine o'clock at night, he was .put on to as comfortable a bed as could be .prepared in a four-wheeled express. The father by his side, and the Rev Mr Borrie driving,

the express left for Dimcdin. To the frequent enquiries of the father. " How do you feel now ;Jamie !" almost the invariable answer was given, "I don't feel sore, father." | The- express, driven by a careful hand,, moved on as fast as prudence would allow it; the night mild and stiirlight moved 011 towards day, the boy with his fathei.' bending over him, moved 011 towards—oh, don't name ityot, although despair is now gaining ground in the parent's breast, 1 The boy's apparent quietbut hopeful answer havesomething in them lit which' the fond heart of the father is now somewhat startled. i\s tho stars in tho Western sky were sinking under the -horizon, so were tho stars of hope whsh fond nature had formed out of thife very answers, which too surely told thwpainless ebbing away of tho young life? 'Tis evident now that the boy's day rajpidly moves on towards tho end. Oil amending Saddle Hi|l Mrßorric drew up, i iuuJ lie and the fathei' could only watch- ' iiig tho beating of tlio young heart grow weaker and weaker, until it stopped for ever. They drove back to Walhoia, and had the corpse placed in the manse, and from there removed to the father's house and interred yesterday in the Taierij Beach cemetery.