LOSS OF TWO LIVES IN THE WAIMEA. RIVER.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume III, 5 October 1844, Page 2

LOSS OF TWO LIVES IN THE WAIMEA. RIVER.

It is with great regret that we have to record the loss of two lives in the Waimea river. On Saturday last, Mr. W. F. Hippisley, a highly respectable farmer, residing on the western side of the river, Mr. J. Griffin, a young man who accompanied him out from England, and Mr. Bolton, another farmer residing in Waimea West, attempted to cross the river in a bullock cart, for the purpose of looking after some sheep belonging to them, which were running on the eastern plain. The heavy rains which had fallen during the week had considerably swollen the river ; and the ford which they attempted was a very bad one ; but to have crossed at a better would have taken them a mile and a half out of their way. Previous to going into the river, Mr. Bolton expressed some fears, but Mr. Hippisley assured him he had crossed it when the water had been higher. About the middle, they found the current very strong, and, when within five or six yards of the eastern bank, one of the bullocks got into a deep hole and drew the other after him, which immediately swamped the cart. Mr. Bolton, with some difficulty, reached the shore, but saw nothing of his unfortunate companions, both of whom, he believes, went down immediately the cart filled, as neither of them could swim. The bodies were not found until Wednesday, one about two, and the other three hundred yards from the spot where the accident occurred. An inquest was held on the bodies on Thursday, and the jury, after returning their verdict of " accidental death," made the following report : — " The jury cannot separate without strongly urging upon the coroner the necessity of his putting before the Governor the great want of a bridge, where an extent of country of six miles, already thickly peopled, have no means of communication with the town of Nelson in case of a flood; at the same time -expressing their opinion that tile immediate erection of a bridge would be the means of saving many valuable lives to the colony, several having already perished."

A little girl named. Crawford, about six years of age, was drowned in the Maitai river on Wednesday. The manner in which the accident occurred is not known ; but as she had been playing with another child in the water, who left her to go home, it is supposed she fell into deep water and was carried down the stream. The bpdy was found the following morning, a short way below where it i 3 believed the accident took place. A jury sat on the body, and returned a verdict of " found drowned."

We have seen with much pleasure the model of a hand-machine for dressing flax, invented by Mr. Stallard, of Trafalgar Street. The machine itself will be complete in a few

days, and, as far as we can judge, promises to be of great value.

Some very beautiful samples of flax, dressed by labourers, have been brought into town within the last few days. The people who prepared it complain that the prices offered by the merchants (£lO to £12 per ton) are insufficient. As these prices hare been paid to Maories for flax which was onl&partially cleaned, it is but reasonable thaFthe article when perfectly clean should brin£ something more. We believe that one 'firm is willing to give an advance, and moreover, after deducting the expenses and the usual commission, will pay to the producers whatever balance may be left after •being sold in England.

It is gratifying to hear that the crops in erery direction are looking highly promising. This affords encouragement to the new cultivators, many of whom, we are happy to say, are at work in right earnest.

The Government brig conveyed away on Thursday the two men under sentence of transportation, and also two lunatics named Ellerm and Cowdry, who have been some* time confined in our gaol.