LUMSDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 1582, 18 March 1882, Page 13

LUMSDEN.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRKSrONDENT.) March 14th.

The first sitting at the newly-elected Licensing Com- I mittec was held on the 9th, but I hoar there was no business of importance brought up. Mr C. Cowan was olected chairman. This township is progressing rapidly : new buildings can be seen springing up here and there, lhero are two hotels nearly completed at tho Castlerock siding, on the Lumsden-Mararoa line of railway. Of course they will both get a license in June if the ratepayers say more licensed houses are wanted in the district, i The Presbyterian cottage mausp is completed, and '

reflects great credit on the contractor who compleljd it-Mr John Campbell, of Invercargili. Fromwhatl can learn it is likely to be soon occupied, as the Key. Mr Brotvn is about to receive a call from the mombers of tho church, and no doubt will accept it. Tho attendance of pupils at the public school continues to increase, and as a consequence the Southland Education Board has, on tho application of tho S-ihool Committee, granted a pupil teacher ana sewing mistress, which will bo a great boon to tne district. *„.«. f §gAn accident, which might have been attended wita more serious results, occurred on the Five Rivera Estato a few days since to a man named W. Craig, who had a contract for cutting some grass on the estate. It appears the man was engaged rectifying some loose nuts of tho self-bindor, when, by some means one of the horses, which was a young me, managed to shake oil its winkers, and at the sight of tho machine, bolted. With great presence of mind Mr Craig leaped into the seat of the machine, whim was in full gear at tho timo, with the intention of stopping tho team ; but on finding that he had no control whatever over them he managed to Jump clear of tho machine, landing with such force that ho broke his collarbone and splintered it. In all probability it will be some time before he recovers from tho effects of the accident. An eye-witness describes it as a miracle how he escaped from getting in front of tho knives, aa tho machine, being a M'Cormick, was much higher in the seat than those of other makers, Fortunatoly for the horses, they attempted to cross a small gully, tbe result being that the machine was left suspended on its end, atid strange to say it proved to bo very little tho worso for the shaking it had received. I hear that Mr Craig is progressing favourHarvest is general throughout this district. The estate mentioned in the preceding paragraph has quite a small army employed cutting 1 , stacking, &c, as there are about 4000 acrf s under cultivation. It is hereycra may see ono of the best wheat crops in the district. From present appearances, I should say that It is likely to average about 40 bushels to the acre ; so that I hope wo may not have such a bad harvest as was expe'eted, especially if the weather continues the games as it has beon for the last week — hot and'calm. March 15th.

Two lads named Ryan, aged about 17 and 19 respectively, sons of a rabbiter on Castlerock Estate, were drowned yesterday afternoon while bathing in the Oreti River, a few miles below this township. To all appearance the younger must have got Inro deep water, and the elder one, in his attempt to save his brother's life, also lost his life. Both bodies wore found in the evening, clinging together, which leads me to believe tho above was the case. The depth ol water was about 12 feet. Great credit is due to Mr G. Johnson, of .Castlerock, and to Mr R. Watson, The former, on discovering tho bodies (after diving), found it impossible to bring them to the surface, and afterwards some parties present manufactured a flax rope, which he secured to the bodies, and they wera brought to the bank of the river, after which they were convoyed to Lumsden. This sad event has case a gloom over the township, and muoh sympathy is expressed for tho bereaved parents, who are advanced in years. These two poor lads were, weir enly support.