COUNTRY NEWS.

Evening Star, Volume III, Issue 785, 10 November 1865, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS.

Dunstan - .. —We are informed that a few days ago a miner, -whose name has not reached us, had a most miraculous escape from a shocking death. He was working in one of the gullies at Thomson's diggings, and while engaged in detaching a large rock from its position, a sudden slip of the earth upon which it was resting took place, and the rock rolled down the slope of the gully. The man, at the time of the displacement of the rock, was upon his knees, and he immediately endeavored to scramble out of the way, but had not time. Death seemed inevitable. Most providentially, however, just before the rock reached him, it came in contact with a large stone, with such force as to cause it to bound over the man, jiist grazing his head in passing. He was, for a short time afterwards, bo frightened that he could not move from the spot. Soon afterwards he recovered his coolness, and quite unhurt, resumed his work.— Dunstan Times, 4th Nov. Wakatip.—From Thursday morning till yesterday about noon, in this district, the rain fell -almost without ceasing, since which the weather has been excessively squally. In fact, during the past fortnight, the weather has been most unseasonable. With the exception of about two fine days during that time, instead of the commencement of summer, it has been more like the end of an inhospitable autumn. We have been visited by any amount of hail, rain, and snow, while the gales which have swept over the district at times have been terrific.— Mail, 4th Nov. Inch Cltjtha.—An inquest was held at Inch Clutha last week before the coroner, Dr Smith, on the body of Jessie Grigor, who had died from the effects of poison. From the evidence adduced, it appeared that deceased and her brother had been at a neighbor's to spend the evening, and shortly after returning home deceased stated that she had taken corrosive sublimate. Mr Grigor at once applied the usual antidotes, and sent for medical -assistance. Dr Manning was shortly in attendance, and deceased for a time rallied, but after lingering for a few days died. A verdict of temporary insanity was returned. — Bruce Herald, Nov 9th. Oamartj.—A lamentable and fatal accident occurred on Saturday last' at Whare Kuri, whereby two lives were lost. Mr George Bailey, the contractor for the Punt on the Waitaki River, along with one of his men named John Wright, were engaged raising the wire rope to its proper position. The appliances at command, consisting of ropes, pulleys, and other tackle, were found to be quite insufficient. In setting o.nt in the boat, the object was to raise the rope (which was fastened on the top of the boat to a kind of "hit," and secured otherwise by ropes), in order that the straining of it might be more easily accomplished. This done, Mr Bailey, who was at the rudder, and the other man, Wright, stationed near the rope, "canted" the boat, so that the force of the stream might impel it across. No sooner had they done this, however, than the boat went off along the rope with fearful velocity, till the weight of the rope and the great force of the current forced it completely under water. Wright was seen to clutch at the rope, and hold on for some time, but he was taken under, and was seen no more. Bailey swam for a considerable distance down the river, but it appears that he was either out of reach of succour, or no attempt was made to save him. He at last approached one of the dangerous whirlpools which so much abound in the Waitaki, and held up his hands in token that all was over; and he also went down, and was never afterwards seen. We believe the melancholy accident is not to be attributed to carelessness or neglect on the part of Mr Bailey, or any person connected with the sad affair. It was simply through ignorance of the nature of the river, to cross which should never be attempted by any but experienced persons, and those well versed in the management of boats. The boat was recovered about two miles down the river from the Ferry ; but notwithstanding a diligent search by the police and a large number of the settlers in the district, the bodies of the unfortunate men have not yet been found. Mr Bailey was a married man, without family, and Wright was also married, and leaves behind him a wife and two children in Dunedin.— Oama iu Times.