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Star (Christchurch), Issue 256, 9 March 1869, Page 2

The following extracts are from the Herald of March 6: — J Serious Accident. —We regret very much j to have to record a serious accident which happened to Captain Crawford of the Govern-! ment Landing Service on Tuesday night last. I Captain Crawford had beeu over the Opihi river seeing his steam threshing machine safely across, and was returning homewards about ten o'clock. Almost directly after crossing the river the horse he was driving (a young animal and newly broke:i to harness) ran.away and ran against a trap, nearly opposite to Mr Patterson's hotel. Captain i Crawford was pitched out, falling on his head, and one of the wheels, it is supposed, passed over his forehead, inflicting a serious wound. The unfortunate gentleman was at once conveyed to Mr Patterson's hotel, where he still

lies. Yesterday we were glad to hear he was-. doing well, and no serious results are anticipated from the accident. Preserving and Boiling Down. — We understand that a number of gentlemen interested in obtaining a market for the surplus stock of the Timaru district met at the Royal Hotel on Thursday afternoon , at the invitation of Mr Sheath, to hear from him a statement of his views on tbe advisability of commencing near to Timaru the business of preserving meat for export to England, as well as a boiling-down establishment. The gentlemen present were Messrs W. K. Macdonald, G. B. Parker, Perring, Luxmoore, Matson, and H. J. LeCren. Mr Sheath explained the object he had in asking these gentlemen together, but as the meeting was a preliminary one, and piivate, we are unable to give a full report of the proceedings. The matter was talked over at some length, but nothing definite was determined on. We trust, however, that we shall soon see the question taken up in earnest, for it is a most important one for runholders. Bridging the Opihi. — At the usual monthly meeting of the Timaru aod Gladstone Board of Works, held on March 4, a letter was read from the Secretary for Public Works (already published in the Timaru Herald), stating that the services of Mr Thornton, Provincial Engineer, could not be placed at the disposal of the Board for the purpose of making a survey for the erection of a bridge over the Opihi. The Chairman said he thought he ought to let the Board know that when in Christchurch recently, he had an interview with the Government on this matter, which was subsequent to tbe date of the letter. He drew the attention of the Government to the distinct promise they had made that Mr Thornton should make the survey, and also to the fact that as the district contributed a portion of his salary, it was entitled to some part of his services. Mr Jollie, who was present, said he would see Mr Thornton aud ascertain whether he could come down to Timaru, but nothing further had been heard from the Government. After some little discussion, Mr G. Parker proposed the following resolution : — " Since it seems from the Secretary for Public Works' letter that the Provincial .engineer's time is too much taken up by other occupations to allow him to carry out the duties of his office in this part of the province, and since his Honor tbe Superintendent has promised this Board to carry out the survey for the Opihi bridge, contemplated by the Provincial Government before the existence of the Board of Works, the Board requests his Honor to pay out of " Contingencies" a sufficient sum to employ some other qualified person to carry out such a survey." Mr Le Cren seconded the resolution, which was passed nem. con. Immigration. — At the usual monthly meeting of the Timaru and Gladstone Board of Works, held on March 4, the following letter from his Honor the. Superintendent was read. It is dated Feb. 10: — I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Mr Horton's letter of the 6th inst., forwarding copies of resolutions passed by the Board of Works on the subject of the proposal that the Board should take charge of the Immigration barracks and should undertake the supervision of immigrants on their being landed free of expense in Timaru, and that applications should be forwarded to the Provincial Government through an officer of the Board of Works, for immigrantsjto be forwardedfrom Christchurch. I understand from the letter now under reply that the Board concurs ln those suggestions, and will undertake the necessary duty ; "provided that all expenses incurred thereby be defrayed by the Provincial Government." With reference to this proviso, I may state that the Provincial Government will be prepared from time to time to incur such expenditure as may be required in the efficient maintenance of the barracks, and other miscellaneous objects,' such as advertising, &c; but it considers that it ought not to be liable for the personal expenses of the immigrants after they are landed for a longer period than say four days, for which it will provide rations. I suggest that all further liability should rest with the Board, who would make the applicants responsible for expenses after that time. It appears to the Government that it is only by making the applicants thus responsible that a guarantee will be obtained for the good faith of the applications, and the stipulation appears to be one which ought to be insisted on in justice to the whole province, which forwards the immigrants to Timaru free of expense, after incurring a considerably extra cost for this purpose. I may state that applicants in Christchurch are bound to take servants from the Barracks .immediately on their being engaged, and it would seem that the Provincial Government may justly expect the same rule to hold good in the case of Timaru applicants, as otherwise a great cost to the Government, and loss to the other parts of the province would be entailed. The accommodation, moreover, at tbe barracks though sufficient for the requirements of the districts, is such as render it highly inexpedient to retain any number of immigrants in them for any length of time. If the Board agrees in this view I will give instructions to have the barracks given over to its charge, and shall be obliged if an advertisement stating its willingness to receive applications can be at once inserted in the Timaru Herald. After Borne discussion, the following resolution was agreed to : — That the Board considers the offer of his Honor the Superintendent as most satisfactory. That this Board recommends that their Secretary should be appointed officer to receive applications for immigrants at such salary as may be agreed to. That applicants for immigrants be required to deposit £1 on application, such sum to be returned them if the immigrant is taken from the barracks four days after arrival, if not then to be expe.nded on subsequent maintenance. The Board not to be liable for any expenditure connected with the Immigration Department. The Board, on tbe barracks being handed over, shall make such arrangements as may be necessary."