BAY OF ISLANDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5491, 23 June 1879, Page 5

BAY OF ISLANDS.

Rdssell, Thursday, June 19. This week opened hero with a severe thunderstorm. Tho lightning was intensely vivid. The whaleship Horatio, Captain Grant, from New Bedford, left us on Tuesday morning for a short cruise. His second mate ia in Aucklaud at present, uuder the doctor's hands, so he will call here again in one month to pick him up. The Horatio is really a fine ship, of 349 registered tonnage. Tuis is her first trip from home, so she is parfestly neiv, everything being fitted up in tirst-elas< stylo and kept in splendid order. The captain's stnte-room almost rvials that of our coasting steamer's saloons. All the ships are open for inspection any day, and visitors are treated with the greatest civility and attention, our American cousins being good nature itself. This, of course, is meant for the captains and officer?, who spare no trouble in shewing visitors all over the ship, explaining everything in a manner which would even excel the lecturer oa the American diorama. Bat tha last ship that came here was the California, Captain Brightman. Two sailors of one of the ships, on coming en shore, after a short time got intoxicated, and after a little playful quarrelling, came under the eye of the police, who took them in charge to prevent them hurting each other. On being brought before the Resident Magistrate, the men not desiring to remain on shore, he gave an order for them to be sent on board as the ship sailed. Yesterday (Wednesday) the Government steamer came into port, aud remained alongside the wharf list night. Captain Fairobild kindly received a few ladiee and gentlemen of the upper ten on board, where a very pleasant evening was spent. The ladies gave some very fine selections on the piano. This morning the Hinemoa proceeded to the coaling-ground. The lona caused a little inconvenience by not coming on Tuesday morning (being her advertised time), the owners in Auckland being evidently unwilling to spend a shilling to let her agent here know of her movements. Several lady passengers on board, bound to Whangaroa, were never told of her going np to coal aud discharge cattle and cargo for the Kawakawa. Naturally, they did not get ashore here, and waited until she came alongside the wharf again. They had to remain on board in the cold and rain while the slow process of coaling went on. The Norllitrn Luminary still continues to throw out its jets of light, but we are going to have a weekly paper in Russell, to be started in a few weeks. The papor is sure to be patronised, as there will be several matters pertaining to Russell alone which want looking Uμ sadly. Yesterday evening the report came that fever was raging among the natives at Waima, half-way between here and Hokianoa. Our worthy, skilful, and untiring friend, Dr. Watling, of Ohaeawai, who at present ia practising here, immediately went to the rescue. He started, though it was blowing a gale of wind and rain at the time, to relieve the sufferers. Much sympathy is felt here for the outrage perpetrated on our old friend Captain Carey, in connection with tho robbery of tho mail-bag on board the s.s. Kotorua. Both he aod t ;o purser (Mr. Pringle) will be very much missed in this port, and the company will find it difficult to replace these two gentlemen.—[Own Correspondent.] KA.WAKAWA. On Sunday morning an accident of a rather serious nature happened to one of the miners named Harris. For several days the lower levels of the mine had been flooded, and one of the Tangy pumps being out of repair, iron skeps were run down into the water, and when full, drawn by the winding-engine up the inclined-plane to a higher level, where the water could be run off. It appears that at the time of the accident Harris was attending the skeps, and, by some means or other, as the empty skeps were passing one of the ventilating doors, he got jammed in between. Jty the stopping of the skeps, the man in charge of the engine perceived that something was wrong, and, on going down the mine, found Harris lying in an unconscious state across the rails. Assistance was speedily obtained, and the unfortunate man carefully conveyed home, where Or. Trimmell attended. After a careful examination; it was found impossible to ascertain the extent aud nature of the injuries, as the patient was suffering intense pain in the lower part of the abdomen and acrosß the loins. On enquiry to-day (Tuesday) I was informed that hie sufferings are much less neute, and the doctor reports that he ia doing well, though not yet out of danger. . , A large room in connection with the doctor's house, to be used as an accident ward, is very much required. A proper place should be provided, where those who have met with serious injury can be quickly taken. Many of the men live at a cosiderable distance from the works, and in all cases, delay in obtaining a proper examination and skilful treatment ia of serious import. Besides, it would be almost impossible to perform any delicate surgical operations in many of the miners' dwellings ; and further, being close to the doctor's house, the doctor would have his patient more directly under his care, and at the same time be at hand ahould his services be reauired for other caeos. The direotors and managers are alwaye ready to aid the relief of those who get hurt, and, I believe, will not hesitate to provide a suitable room with the necessary fittings for such contingencies. On Thursday, sth inst., the district was visited by a severe atorm from the south, west, but, judging from the reports in the Weekly News, we h&d more ram but leee wind that many of the country dietnots. Being epring tides at the time, and the wind having blown for several days from the sea, the tide rose to an extraordinary height, which, by backing up the storm water, inundated the low-lying lande. The line -was under water for several chains, in some placee two feet deep, and for some hours traffic was suspended, but no material damage waa done.—lowo correspondent, Juno 17.] ,