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KEMPSEY.
FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.
JUNE 27.—INQUEST OF MR. HENRY ALEXANDER, OF
ARMIDALE. It having been reported that this unfortunate
young man, who had been left behind by the post boy,
in whose company he was on his way to Kempsey,
in consequence of his mare not being able to proceed,
and his desire to remain with her, had lost himself.
Captain Scott directed Lieutenant R. B. Poulden, com-
manding native police, to make search for him, and
also despatched a corporal and one trooper, attached to
the mounted police with the same object in view. Other
persons from the nearest station at Long Flat, with Mr.
Stewart, it appears, had made an unavailing search
the day but one after he was left behind by the post
boy. The result of these combined efforts was the dis-
covery of the boy, with the face downwards, being on
the Shingle, just where it had been left by the retiring
water, a short distance below the usual crossing place.
The remains were found on the 16th. The coroner,
Mr. E. W. Badder, of East Kempsey, held an
inquest on the remain, at Mr. Stewart's, Long
Flat, on the 19th. A distance of 130 miles was thus
traversed in the short interval of three days, 60 of which
were accomplished by the messenger within 24 hours.
After a very careful examination of the body (which,
though in a very advanced stage of decomposition, was
still entire) and patient consideration of all available
information, the jury were unanimous in returning an
open verdict, viz. :—" That the said Henry Alexander
waa found drowned, but how, or by what means, to
the said jurors does not appear." It was known that when
last seen alive Mr. Alexander had on a Crimean shirt, a
coat, and wore spurs. The body was found with only a
pair of trousers and waistcoat on ; the waistcoat being
buttoned and the trousers secured by a tight waistband.
No socks were on the feet, but boots only, without spurs.
The valise was found, and contained an ample supply of
clothing, some testimonials of character, an order for
£9, and one for a silver-mounted pipe, a purse, and 7d.
in silver. lt was also known that he had, prior to
leaving Armidale, £30 in money—none, however, was
found on the body, beside that above specified. This
£50, it is conjectured, he may have transmitted through
the post to his friends in Sydney; it is, therefore,
probable that none being found on the
body may be thus accounted for, and,
as his friends in Sydney have been communicated with
it is hoped all doubt on this point will be cleared up
and that this property is not lost. The mare and foal
were found, the former injured in one fore leg, as if out
by coming in contact with a aharp piece of rock, and
the traock of both, to and from the water, were distinctly
traced. When found, the mare had a saddle on, and
both saddle and valise appeared as if they had been im-
mersed in water. The valise was not upon the mare
when she was found, but on the bank, and was probably
disengaged by her having rolled on the ground as the
D was wanting through which the strap had passed. It
was also ascertained that tracks of two kinds of human
feet marks had been clearly traced in several places from
the upper ground to the edge of the water, leading to
the crossing place, viz., one track of a person with boots
on, and another of naked feet. There was nothing to
show that these were not the tracks of the same indi-
vidual, or that they were not those of two persons ; they
were, however, distinctly said to be those of a European.
From the remains of a fire found, it was concluded that
Mr. Alexander remained out two nights previous to his
meeting his death. From this brief statement of the
leading facts brought before the jury, coupled with that
of no external marks of violence being found on the
body, which pressnted the ususl appearance of persons
drowned, it will be seen that no other verdict could very
well have been returned than the one found.
CAUTION.—Persons travelling between Kempsey and
Armidale should come by the new line of road between
Kempsey and that place. It has been carefully surveyed
and in part completed at the expense of the Government,
and where not available for drays, a good bridle-track has
been marked and cut. This road avoids all the river
crossings, leaving the Macleay on the right hand when
coming from Armidale, and on the left when leaving
Kempsey. It passes through a well-watered oountry,
and has abundance of good grass on all sides. From 40
to 60 miles there are no stations ; but in other respects
it is convenient and safe whereas, that by way of Gogla
is replete with difficulty and hazardous to life: the
track is ill-defined, and the river-crossings rapid, deep,
stony, and dangerous. Strangers should never venture
by way of Gogla or Cunderong, from New England to
Kempsey, without a good guide, or till a line has been
surveyed and properly marked. Mr. Henry Alexander
is the ninth person who has lost his life crossing the
Macleay River, between Kempsey and New England.
Let his fate be a warning to others, and let it be the
means of stimulating the Government to order an
accrate survey to be immediately commenced of the whole
of the Upper Macleay, from East Kempsey to the New
England table-land, and a road marked ont.
ACCIDENT.—On Sunday evening, the 38rd instant, as
Captain W. H. Thornton was returning home, he fell,
and broke both bones of his left leg. No person hearing
the unfortnnate gentleman's oalls for some time, he re-
mained till the inmates of Kempsey-house recognised
his voice, when Dr. Gabriel waa immediately sent for,
and Captain Thornton conveyed home, and the fractured
limb carefully set.
THE WEATHER.—On the 34tb, rain fell daring the
day and night. From its short continuance, and not
being particularly violant, the inhabitants of this plaoe
wera greatly surprised to see a considerable fresh in the
river, which rose very rapidly during the whole of
Wednesday. It has now retrested to near its nsual
bounds. This morning showed that a sharp frost had
made its appearance, and our winter weather again re-
turned.
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