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Waikato Times, Volume II, Issue 99, 17 December 1872, Page 2

Yesterday afternoon about 5 o'clock, an accident occurred ut Ngaruauahia, which unfortunately terminated fatally at about 11 o'clock. It appears that the unfortunate deceased, John Wilson, was the driver of a dray wiia a couple ot horses attached. He urged the horses to a gallop before lie was clear of the township, and had not proccede.l more than one hundred, vards wlu-n the near wheel caaic ill contact with the side "of n shallow cutting. The dray was upset, and fell across deceased's chest, and evidently ruptured him internally, as he shortly afterwards vomited blood. There was another man and a boy iu the dray. They fortunately escaped unhurt. We understand that the unfortunate man 'was a native of the Channel Inlands. Jle was formerly in the -!nd Waikato Regiment, and served in the Transport Corps during the war. He has been living for some time with the natives at Whata Wliatn. We are informed that he was to have appeared as a witness iu the case ot John Moon v. retiree, which is to be heard in Auckland. Dr Jones was telegraphed for to Hamilton immediately after the accident occurred- The Dr is much given to indulgence in strong drink, the publicans however will not serve him, and he has in consequence taken to opiuui. After his arrival in the township he went to see the man, he was then apparentlv in his right senses, and left the hospital to which the man "had been carried for the purpose of procuring bandages, during this time ho must have taken the dose, as ou his return he was quite incapable of doing avything and directed Mr Bell, the blacksmith, to bandage the man's ribs. He shortly afterwards became unconscious. Mr LeSeur, who suspected what was the matter with him, used his utrao.it exertions to keep him awake. By dint ot walking him about, lii.s life was saved. The conduct of both I Messrs Bell and LcScur should not pass unnoticed ; they net t»d in a most humane and prompt manner; in fact the j life of Dr Jones was in all probability saved by the exertions I of the latter.

An inquest was held on Saturday last at the Royal Mail Hotel, Auckland, on the body of Henry Newstead, who expired suddenly at the breaklast table. From the evideneo of the barman and witnesses the dec-cased appeared iu his usual health l.r.v'iig conversed with the hitter for about twenty minutes on the morning of his death. He afierwards partook of breakfast, when he was observed to lean one side, breathe heavily, and full from his chair. Medical attendance wn.s promptlv procured, but lile was found to be cxtinct. The eau-e of his death is attributed t-o enlargement of the heart. The deceased was well known in the city,, and at one time was in business as a tobacconist. During the exaiui-n,-J ion the barmaid received a deserved and severe east igation at the hands of the Coroner for what under the circumstances can oul v be viewed as a piece ot ailect.ation on her part —namely her refusal to view the body. A threat, however of giving her into the custody of Sergeant Pardy brought her to her senses.

On Monday tlio Maoris at work 011 (ho railway for Messrs Kay ami Co. struck I'm - more pay, but as they had not liithcrto done su.'iicient work to pay for their food, the concontractor:) refused to " spring,." no they have ceased work, and white men were set to work at, once in their stead. Had Ilauhaus been got instead ol Kupapas, the scheme might haw succeeded, they arc poor and want clothes and food, while the others have had work at llux mills and hence are saucy. The kini-, however, would not allow than to work, although ■WO agreed to come if allowed. An'old resident in New Zealand, who has suffered by the action of rivers 011 their banks, suggest the following plan

•'to prevent, or rather to alter, tbe change in their course." lie savs :—"The phtn I suggests is a Jog about ,j0 or GO feet long anchored in, the river, by one end to a chain, connected to about, six small anchors, the other end attached to u Spanish windlass on the slioce for the purpose of altering the angle by taking in or slacking otf. My proposition id, that, as tlie rebound of the current is from angle to angle, bv altering that angle above the required place, say even as far as a mile, the river by this means might be guided instead of restrained. When this appliance is 110 longer required it might be liberated, or removed, which is a great

difficulty with fascines. My reason for using a number of small anchors is that their spread would hold firmer than one large one on account oi the silt," Great complaints are being made by many of our country settlers that the Thistle Act-ib allowed to remain inoperative. The seeds of the thistle are now being wafted over the districts to settle upon cultivated lands, and ihere to germinate to the serious loss and annoyance of the agriculturists. One set of authorities throws it upon others to see to the eradications of this mischievous plant, and the consequence is, it is now nourishing in all its native luxuriance through many of the ino-r fertile districts of the province.—lleruhl. The Herald says: —"We regret to learn that the _ dry weather iu the Canterbury district will cause a partial failure of the oat crop. It is stated that on light soils all hopes to save the crops have been lost. The wheat crops are also likelv to be much below the average from the same cause ; but'the quality is likely to be excellent." ]f the present spell of dry weather continues much longer, we fear we may have to make a similar report. The wind changed last night to the quarter from which the rain generally comes. We have been requested to intimate that any person desiring to procure goods for Christmas from town, must make arrangements to have the packages at Mcrcer before Saturday next. We were glad to see arrive by steamer at Xearuawahia on Saturday last, two young pigs. They have been purchased by Messrs. Carpenter and Byron. They will supply a w-ant very much felt'viz., a better breed of pigs iu the Waikato. It should bo remembered by fanners that goods pigs eat no more than common breeds, and are much mure remunerative to the breeders. Mr Buekland's next wool sale will be held iu the Haymarket, Auckland, to-morrow. On Thursday, he will sell cattle at the Rcmuera Yards, and eight yearling shorthorn bulls the get of " Sir James." We are glad to learn that some of our settlers are nowgrowing their own clover seed. Mr W. S. Buckland has imported a clover-dressing machine. We trust that no more monev will leave the district for the purchase of this seed. As'heing evidence of the progress and enterprise of our settlers, we are glad to learn that a dozen mowmg and reaping machines have boon imported into, tho Waikato.