MASTERTON.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 118, 19 July 1873, Page 5

MASTERTON.

(from our own correspondent). I am happy to be able to deny an item in my last referring to a Swede supposed to have been drowned in the Makakohi River. He is now restored to his rejoicing relatives, and I will endeavor to give an account of his night of peril. At about 4 p.m. he attempted to cross the river, which at that time was much swollen. He was carried down far below the ford, but at last found firm footing upon a small island in the middle of the river, where he stood until daybreak next morning, or fully fifteen hours. Part of the time lie was immersed in the water, and ni constant dread of being washed off his little piece of terra firma. Directly it was sufficiently light for him to discern the nature of the nearest bank he undressed, tied his clothes in a bundle, and, taking an impromtu anchor of a large

stone, he anchored his apparel where he stood, intending to regain it directly the flood had subsided. He then struck out for the shore, which he succeeded in reaching safely after being carried down a distance of 15 chains. But alas for human hopes, his troubles were not at an end, as a very steep hill presented itself directly opposite the landing place, when he very pluckily committed himself again to the mercy of the watery element. On swimming round the hill, he succeeded in a camp, but in an almost exhausted condition. After a few simple restoratives being applied he regained his former strength. This is an instance where great presence of mind and extraordinary powers of endurance were displayed ; and I think he showed himself to be of the right class of emigrants for Government agents to procure. 1 On Tuesday last Mr Dreyer, on account of six Norwegian immigrants per ship England, deposited a sum of £390 in the post-office savings bank of tliis township, : it being purely the result of their thrifty and industrious habits, as the owners have already liquidated all their liabilities to the Government, as well as to private individuals. An inquest was held at Castle Point on the 11th instant on the body of Michael Troy, who died on the hills from exposure. Mr Maunsell acted as coroner, the following gentlemen forming the jury : Messrs J. Groves, W. Everett, J. A. Perry, W. lorns, J. Green, E. Hill, F. Petty, T. Pickett, R. K. Kenrick, J. Smith, and J. Greenland, foreman. The jury having been sworn, P. Madden deposed : On Thursday, the 10th, I left Castle Point in company with Charles Lee and J. Maynard, and when about three miles on the road we were attracted by the barking of a dog ; and upon nearing the spot to ascertain the cause, discovered the dead body ©f Troy. lat once returned to Castle Point and communicated the fact, when Mr A. Cameron at once returned with me to where the body lay, and brought it home before him on the horse. Mr A. Cameron deposed : On Thursday, the 10th, Madden left Castle Point, but returned shortly afterwards, stating that he had found the body of Troy. I at once accompanied him to where Troy lay, and brought in the body, before me on the horse. No marks of violence were discernable on his person, and he appeared to have died without a struggle, as he lay in a very easy position, with his head resting on his hand. The jury returned the following verdict : —That the deceased Michael Troy came to his death through exposure during the late inclement and boisterous weather. Both witnesses stated that he had left Castle Point the previous day perfectly sober.

The whole of the island known as Somes Island, situate in this harbor, and the water frontage around it within half a mile from its shores, have been declared a quarantine station. The July number of the ‘ ‘ New Zealand Church News” is to hand. The clerical information is useful and varied as usual, and relates to the principal diocese of the colony. In an original article on the question of the Church and Nonconformity, we find the following in regard to a point on which great confusion of thought occurs: — 11 There can be but one true Church in each country, but one legitimate representative of the Church of the Apostles ; that the Anglican Church claims, to be in this country, holding fast as she does the Apostles’ doctrines and fellowship, one with them in faith and one in succession of descent; individual Christians, who do not recognise her claim, but call themselves by other names, whether they be adherents of the Bishop of Rome, followers of John Knox or John Wesley, or what not, she looks upon as members of herself, in spite of their allegiance to her, but, in their corporate capacity, she cannot recognise them as ‘branches of the Church.’” Not the least interesting feature of the number is the correspondence.

Pity the editor of the Auckland “ Star,” who seems to fear being killed with kindness and cries out—We really must protest. We cannot do it, and we will not do it. Half the mothers of the city want to kiss us for having defended their little darlings and their perambulators from the City Council. We never kiss now, gave it over long ago ; and we declare if we are bothered any more about this we will tell their husbands. We give positive warning. Let no deputation come here. We won’t see it, we shall not be at home. Let the deputation spoken of wait on the City Council, and expend their caresses on the unhappy four. Visit them not in anger, but in love, in compassion, and in tenderness. Judge them not harshly. They are not unsusceptible to the sweet and. melting influence of female loveliness. We know they are not, some of them especially. Try them. We bet they will kiss, and won’t tell. But we warn the deputation to keep away from this, for we won’t kiss, and we shall certainly tell.