STRATFORD.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume III, Issue 253, 26 May 1882, Page 2

STRATFORD.

(from our own correspondent.)

A public meeting is called for Saturday* at half-past two o'clock, at Stratford, to urge upon Government the desirability of placing upon the estimates a sum of money for forming and metalling the road though from here to Opunnke. The work is one which would benefit the whole oi this district largely, Ngaire as well as Stratford, for it is only the same distance from Ngaire to the crossing of the Waingongoro, via Climie road, as it is from here, and we, therefore, hope to see a good muster from that direction. We understand that Opunake is to be asked to co-operate. Gun accidents appear to be very prevalent this season, and one Which happened near here a few days ago narrowly escaped having fatal consequences. Two neighbors, named Smith and Baker, were out shooting, when, in passing a roadmen's camp, a dog rushed out and attacked Baker. He at once shot the dog dead, and it is supposed that in the excitement of the moment he must have cocked both barrels; at all events the second barrel exploded as he was turning round, and Smith received the charge in the thick part of the left arm ; the left breast of the coat directly over the heart is riddled with holes, but by a wonderful chance there was a pouch in the inside pocket, which stopped the shot, otherwise the consequences must have been most •serious. The shot are still in Smith's arm, and he is quite incapacitated from work. May 25.