COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 4481, 24 March 1876, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS.

TE KOPURT7. Saist Patrick's Day was celebrated iu this district by a regatta at Kaihu, but as your special correspondent was present, I give no particulars, as doubtless you will receive a full report from him. I have, however, to report a fatal boat accident, which occurred on Sunday last about two miles above Kaihu. As far as I can learn, it appears that two men were pulling up the river iu a skiff, and one of them named Adamson, who i am told had been drinking, suddenly rose in the boat for the purpose of dancing He had scarcely begun the fatal dance when he fell over the side of the boat, and was drowned. There are no particulars to hand at present, and I believe the body has not yet been recovered. It seems a most deplorable state of things that so many persons are constantly losing their lives from the effects, either remotely or directly, of drinking, more especially as there seems no means existiug of preventing such a state of things. The number of lives sacrificed on the river from this cause during the last two years, amounts to a fearful total, and the sum is constantly receiving additional units—these units being precious lives, mostly of men on the threshold of life. Here is a question for thoughtful men to ponder and.resolve. Surely some means could be adopted to prevent people sacrificing themselves in such a reckless and insensate fashion. Cannot the public prints do something to point out the enormity of the offence, with a , view to educate these thoughtless persons to a more reasonable and happier mode of life than is to be found in the indulgence of that which destroys most miserably both body and soul, and causes so many helpless widows and orphans? We, at this place, have found a substitute, which I now write of, to recommend in the strongest manner for adoption in all communities, small and great, viz., the practice of music. Two years ago such a thing was hardly known here (at least to the many), now we have a good choir, a drum and fife band, and besides these a few of the young men have now formed a Quartette Society for stringed instruments, and their first act has been to present Mr. Gooch with an excellent violin and appurtenances, as a mark of the appreciation of the good his introduction and continued efforts to render music a constant and familiar occupation, has effected here, and we, again strongly recommend all communities to scart at once, now that the lo ig evenings are coming on, either singing classes or classes for the practice of instrumental music, and it will soon be found how the practice of the divine art will expel grosser pleasures from amongst them ; if the experiment is once tried, success is almost certain, and these remarks will not have been written in vain.—[Correspondent, March 21.]

NGARUAWAHIA. The weather seems to have broken, the rain, coming down pretty smartly. It was much wanted. : .The railway bridge here is progressing satisfactorily. . To all appearance it will'be a.handsome structure. . The railway wharf also is in a fair way to completion. Ihe work reflects great: credit , on the builder, Sir. Gib'son. . • . Opposition is the order of the day with the.Waikato steamers. The Quickstep, although starting, under such, unfavourable circumstances, such as breaking her shaft, Sα i is tlie only boat that can conie up to time. More power, T Quick; try , another.Thomas Maher and J. Rosa" appeared before W. N. Searanke, Esq., K.il., on

the" 20th inst.ito answer to a-, chargo of a breach of the peace by beating on tin cans in the public street on the lTfclTinst. Defendants pleaded guilty; and were fined one shilling and costs each. The hat went round',: and the amount was collected instauter. This case arose out of the colonial, welcome to .a .newly married couple; ' The nervous bridegroom (a resident J. P.) hearing this as likely to take place,' acting by virtue of his appointment as a J. P., instructed the police to inako a summary example of those concerned. - However the welcome did take place in spite; of his threat. The proceeding has not increased his popularity very much. : *Mr. Speight intended to have held a letture here on Good Templarism on Monday last, but I am informed he could not hold forth to five listeners. 1 notice that the worthy host of the Royal Mail has erected a skittle alley on the premises, which seems to be well patronised, as the belief is that it is equal to the Hot Springs for rheumatism.