COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 5846, 12 August 1880, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

WEST COAST ROAD. The following tenders for portions of the work have been received by the committee of the Rodney County Council—Messrs. Shepherd, Buckton, and Cutforth—ap. pointed to receive them :— Araparara Bridge : Joseph Treadwell (accepted), £139 ss; Joseph and Alfred Becroft, £171 ; Charles Gardiner, £200; James Clayden, £210. 20 feet Bridge.: Joseph Treadwell (accepted), £40 15s ; Joseph and Alfred Becroft, £60. JlessM. J. and A. Beeroft aluo tendered for the following works (accepted) :—Clearing from bridge to swamp, per chain, 5a ; ditching and fascining small swamps, per chain, 50s; clearing from swamp northwards, half chain wide, at per chain, 3i 6d; ditching and fascining south of the Hoteo, at per chain, 70s ; outfall, 5 chains, at per chain, ss; culvert and swamp, £41Ss. —[Own Correspondent, August 10.]

NEWCASTLE. A melancholy accident occurred here last night. A young man named Barker, whilst crossing the river at a place known as Hume's landing, on the Waipa River, was drowned. It appears that Barker aud a man named Connor, who were working on a contract for Mr. Price, building a house for Mr. Ratlibone on the farm known as Hume's farm, left this towoehip at about 10 o'clock p.m. to go to their place of abode at the farm. Connor, who makes a very ramhliag statement, saya he was with Barker in the township, but he (Barker) started home before him. On arriving at the landing Barker was in a canoe away from the bank. Barker brought the canoe back, and in stepping in the canoe was upset. The alarm was at once given, but no aid could b* rendered. Tho police and friends have been dragging the river the whole day, but no signs of the body have yet been obtainedDeoeaeed has been working for Mr. Price for about five years, and bears an excellent character.—[Own Correspondent, August