OPOTIKI.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume II, Issue 170, 22 April 1874, Page 3

OPOTIKI.

(FROM OTTO OWN COTBRKSPONDEKT) m o April 20. Ihb Southern Cross last trip brought four wellbred bulb, which were landed and placed under the care of Mr J. B. Kushton. They or© intended to be turned out with the cattle belonging to the new Auckland Cattle Company, on the Urewera and Whakatane runs.

/ I understand that the little craft Bluebell has recently changed bands, Mr 8. Bales, the former owner, having sold her to Mr Wrigley, of the Spring Weil Brewery, Tauranga. / I am sorry to have to record a death under the most painful circumstances, which has recently taken place at Omaramutu, a few miles from here. The deceased was the daughter of Mr Henry Clark, Government schoolmaster, of Omaramutu. She was three years of age. She appears to have obtained possession of a box of matches, and while both her parents were engaged —the one in the management of his school and the other in household duties outside—the child appears to have ignited the matches and set fire to her clothes. Her screams were not at first neard, and when assistance was finally rendered she was so much burnt as to be beyond hopes of recovery. Dr Knyland was sent for, and was promptly on the spot. The little sufferer lingered some lions when her spirit departed to a better world. The deepest sympathy is felt on all hands for the unhappy parents, who are much respected by all who know them. This is the second instance of a child being burnt here, through its clothes catching fire, within the last month. In the former case the child had fortunately only its night-dress on, and the mother being in the house at the time, succeeded, by her presence of mind and promptness, in extinguishing the flames before the child had received much injury, although considerably at the expense of her own bands.

The School Committee met the other evening, and finally decided upon a form of building as an addit ion to the school house. Messrs King and Litchfield were appointed as a sub-committee to obtain specifications, call for and accept tenders, and have the work carried out as speedily as possible. Tenders are accordingly called for by public notice for the erection of the aforesaid building.

We have lately had a visit from the steamer /a* o6 * a P*ain Fairchild. Captain Johnston (Marine Surveyor), and other gentlemen landed in a boat. Captain Johnston is, I understand, proceeding on a tour of harbour inspections on behalf of the Government. He expressed bis highest approval of the Ohiwa river, as the steamer went in and out again at low water without any difficulty. The party returned on

board at noon, aud «t/ * to White island, <; u The trustees of the Town Hail have met again, when ifc was earned by a large majority that the building should be erected ou calls upon the shares to bo made at stated intervals, and not »«pm, borrowed money ns was at first intended. «urneroii» details of business were gouo into and satisfactorily arranged. A vote of thanks having been accorded to the chairman, the proceedings then took a convivial turn. Among various items of fun and amuse nont, a feat of strength was executed by one of the party lifting three persons at once from the tloor on to the table. This proceeding appears to have been of a somewhat peculiar nature, as one of the performers—or. rather, performed upon—is said to have taken his meals standing ever since.