CANTERBURY.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1612, 27 August 1861, Page 5

CANTERBURY.

By the Airedale, we have received papers up to the 21st Inst. We have taken the following extracts from the Lyttdton Times. On the evening of Wednesday last a serious accident happened to Mr. S. Cox, of Feudall Town, who about halfpast seven started from Christchurch for home, driving a pair of horses in a four wheeled waggon. In proceeding along the lower end of Cashel street it was so extremely dark, owing partly to a heavy fall of hail, that the horses went straight over the bank into the river. Mr. Cox's son-in-law and daughter were precipitated with violence from the waggou as it descended the bank, fortunately sustaining no serious injury. The cry for help soon attracted attention ; among the first to aid was a man of the name of Stephen Lawrence (who, during his residence in Jersey, tendered himself con-

; spieuous for his courage by saving the ; lives of two if not three children on different ocoasions). Mr. Charles Turner and Mr.. Willis, who, after some difficulty, discovered the waggon carried to the opposite side of the stream and Mr. Cox fixed between the wheels and in a most perilous position, quite unable to extricate himself. Several persons instantly rushed up into the river, by whose assistance he was landed in safety on the river bank. Mr. Willis very hospitably entertained the party during the time which elapsed before the recovery of Mr. Cox, who had thus narrowly es* caped a watery grave. One of the horses was found dead, the other, after considerable difficulty, was extricated from the waggon and dragged ashore in a state-of rigidity from extreme cold which for some time rendered its recovery doubtful. On the following morning the waggon, which was almost under water, was towed down towards the mill and dragged out, having sustained apparently no injury. About 13,000 bshs, of wheat have been shipped from Kaiapoi this season, and there is far more than sufficient in the place to satisfy tho wants of the community. , Next year we may expect to export between 27,000 and 30,000 bushels; and this, coupled with the fact that in a few weeks the whole of the Maori bush will be open for sale, renders the prospect of this young and severely tried community far more cheering. The trade of Kaiai poi with'Christohuroh ia timber, some few years back, amounted to an average of £1,000 per month; and there is no doubt, that directly the roads improve, there will at least be the same amount of business doing ; it is probable, therefore, that with a fair attention to our roads from Government, the trade of the town will soon show signs of increasing activity, commensurate with the wonderful progress which this agricultural district is daily making. The farmers as a class, have done exceedingly well, and have, where the truth has been ascertained, had but little to do with the commercial distress and losses so common amongst the inhabitants of the town. There is a clas3, however, who, on the faith of Government promises, made- purohases and settlements in the Rangiora swamp, who have had and are haviug a dire struggle with ruin. It is heart sickening to see a large number of industrious men, who took their laud on the faith of promises made that it would be drained, spent their little oapital in the expensive outlay of fencing and breaking up, to be shut in by a road that in most places is impassible and over its whole length, can only be traversed in any part, at imminent risk, by bullocks and horses, while their crops are rotting before their eyes. Last winter they held on, thinking the general distress, an excuse for the Government doing nothing to help them, and bravely struggled, only tor be again this year iv a worse position than before. Kaiapoi. — The river has presented a more lively appearance this last ten days than for some time past. Our old friend the Flirt was followed by the paddle steamer Lyltelton, which got away with 2000 bushels of wheat for Wellington; the sieo.va.QV Avon, laden with flour, potatoes, and oats, for Lyttelton ; the barge Juno, with about 1500 bushels of wheat and two tons of cheese for Otago.