It f;ives us no little pleasure to state that an experienced contractor is open to construct a tramway to Addison's, along the route laid out by the Government for a sum of £3OOO, and on Mr Kynnersley's return something definite will probably be done in the matter. The Government are willing to assist the enterprise by all means in their power, and it is supposed that a money grant can be got for this ; whether it is so or not we cannot say, but at all events it is certain that they will givej land or some other valuable consideration to a hone,fide company, on completion. The advantage such a line would be, 1 both to Addison's and Westport, could scarcely be over estimated, and the would feel the effects immediately in the reduced prices of provisions, consequent on the lesser cost of carriage, &c. As to the profits of such an undertaking there can be but one opinion, and it is only surprising that up to the present time, it has not been considered. The Westland Observer informs us that a very distressing accident occurred in Hampden street, Hokitika, on Monday morning, resulting in the death of a little boy three years of age, named Peter M'Farlane. WiThe following are the circumstances—As the 11 o'clock train from Hokitika to the Hau Hau reached the Hamburgh Hotel, one of the passengers called upon the driver to stop, as a child had been run over by the train. The driver accordingly pulled up, and proceeded back to the spot where the child was lying. On taking him up he observed that the wheel of the carriage had completely smashed his head, scattering his brains for a considerable distance around. The child was taken to his mother's house, which was close to the Dr Rosetti sent; for but of course could do nothing the child being quite dead. An inquest was held on the following day at the Hamburgh Hotel, when the driver of the carriage, who taken into custody, surrendered to his bail. The jury having heard the evidence of several witnesses, whose testimony did not prove that there was any blame attached to n the driver, returned a verdict of, '* Accidental Death," with the following rider, " That they expressed a hope that the authorities will take some steps to compel the tramway company to make some] arrangement whereby the drivers of the respective carriages may be able to give notice of their approach either by whistle or otherwise." The driver was, of course, discharged from custody. On Monday morning, an accident, which providentially was not attended with fatal results, happened (as we are informed by the Westland Observer) at the lower end of] Gibson's-quay, whilst the crew of the harbor-boat, were engaged in hoisting an anchor from their boat to the wharf on a crane. By some mischance, the head of the crane broke, and the anchor fell upon the landing-stairs, completely smashing them. Several men who : were standing on the steps were thrown into the water, and one man was struck on the head by the crane. ->sThe men were taken out of the river none the worse for their ducking, and the man who was struck by the crane was attended by Dr Ryley, on whose recommendation he was removed to the hospital. He has a severe contusion on the side of his head, but is in no danger. A case will shortly be tried at the Supreme Court. Wellington, of a man who has married no less than five times, and all his wives are, we believe, living. The last one was a servant maid, formerly living at a gentleman's house at the Waiiaki, and the last but one a poor woman now in Timaru. The man must have been heartless villain, for he not only inflicted the greatest injury possible on the unfortunate women whom hepersuaded to marry, but he
also robbed thorn of any little money they possessed. All his four wives owned property previous to becoming his dupe.
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Bibliographic details
Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 277, 20 June 1868, Page 4
Word Count
674Untitled Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 277, 20 June 1868, Page 4
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