DRURY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume II, Issue 327, 29 November 1864, Page 5

DRURY.

[I'KOM Ol'll OWN COHRKSI'OJfIIENT.] November 2Gth. A sad and fatal accident occurred a short distance from here on the Great North Koad this evening, caused to a certain extent by a system of driving without reins, permitted by tho military authorities. If the distance the men are sent with their loads is too great for them to walk by the heads of their horses all the way, then reins ought to be supplied to them for both the leader and sluift horse, or if it is on empty cart the leader should be tied behind the I dray and reins used for the shaft horse ; at least such is my opinion. ' This afternoon, a dray with two horses was dispatched from Papakir ,i with a load of Government goods and also one of the AVaiknto militia, his wife, and two children. On nearly reaching the rise by Martin's farm tlie road is narrow, being a slight cutting, the brink about a yard high on each side. The driver was riding: ill front, (lie woman and one eh'Vl in the middle, and the militiaman and remaining child at back of the dray. They had reached the top of the rise within a few yards, when thev were met by some of 3Mr. Martin's cows being driven home to be milked, the foremost one wearing a bell. On seeing the cows both horses became very restive, and on the cow with the bell crossing the road, in front of the leader's bead, tlie two animals look fright and bolted, I lie leader going up the embankment and making foiJDrnrv. Seeing that the driver had lost control over his horses, the man at the back threw himself of!', and on gaining his legs ran alter the dray to save bis "wife and children ; before he could come up with it, the wife had jumped off dragging the two children, she falling on her back with the children on her. She was stunned for a short time, but tlie children unhurt. The man stayed with bis wife for a minute or so till she came to herself, and 11kn started after tlie dray to render assistance, if -needed. He hail gone but 40 yards, when lie saw tlie body of the driver doubled up on the bank, ai d to him he immediately attended, by carrying him to the fencing at side of road, and supporting him in a sitting posture. In a few miimtes blood spurted fjem his nose, mouth, and ears. Calling to the bey who was driving tbe cows, be despatched him to Martin's for assistance. Mr. Martin and his men brought waim water and washed tlie poor man's face, <fcc.. and seeing tlie sad stale he was in, had one ot his own horses put in a spring curt, and sent the man to I'apakura, bui unfortunately be died on Die read without once speaking, and an inquest will be held on him on Monday. I believe tho dray and horses wore stopped about three miles nearer lirurv bv Mr. AViPiams, who had charge of Mr. Simpson's farm, the dray being perfectly empty.