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New Zealand Mail, Issue 1315, 13 May 1897, Page 20

It having- he >n reported that the Hutt river was encroaching on the road at one point in the Tait.a district, an examination by Mr Golder (the county inspector) and Councillor Brown showed that the river bad boen diverted to an old course, and that by the construction of a few groins it would be possible to keep it diverted, and prevent it goingback to the channel in which it was running, This Work has accordingly been put in hand, and willing assistance has been given by the settlers iu the locality. Last week Messrs Rotheram (locomotive superintendent) and Lowe (engineer) held an enquiry into the circumstances which contributed to the accident on the railway lino near Kaitoke on Monday. Evidence was called, including that of Petersen, the ganger, who was superintend:ng the relaying of rails at the spot where the accident occurred, and who admitted that “ho left the dog-spikes out, and took the risk.” A rep.ort embodying the evidence will, we understand, be presented to Mr Ronayne, the general manager, who will make certain recommendations to the Minister of Railways in regard to the matter.

A lawyer’s bill for £2l which had been owing for more than six months simply paralysed the Onslow Borough Council Tuesday night. “ What have we done to deserve this?” Slid one. “There’s no doubt we’ll have to pay it,” said another. “I don’t see what was done to amount to all that,” plaintively remarked another. “ You never can see what a lawyer does for his money,” remarked a fourth, sagely. “ Lord, what a bill!” said a fifth. 'lhe bill was then gingerly passed round the table and examined very much as if it had been an infernal machine, each Councillor groaning in turn as ho read, the items. .“A regular lawyer’s bill,” said the Mayor in a tone of pained surprise when it reached his hands. Finally it was decided to let it lie on the table.