OUR OPOTIKI LETTER

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume IV, Issue 383, 13 May 1876, Page 3

OUR OPOTIKI LETTER

(tfROM OUB OWN COBBKBPONDENT.) Opotiki, May 5, 1876. TnE cutter Glance arrived yesterday from Mercury Bay with a cargo of timuer for our various new buildings, both public and private, which are springing up in various parts of tho township with surprising rapidity. We had a shock of earthquake at a little after sis o'clock this morning ; it was a sort of rolling motion considerably prolonged, although not by any means severe. I am glad to be able to &ay that Captain Preece, A.C., has arrived here to take charge of native affairs, vice H. W. Brabant, Esq., promoted. Captain Proece will be an acquisition ; he is well esteemed for his urbanity and gentlemanly deportment, while his thorough knowledge of tho gentle and amiable eccentricities of the "noble savage" render him fully qualified to fulfil the duties of his anything but si ecure office. Mr Kelly's new cutter is to be launched on tho 10th inst. ; she is, I believe, not yet named. M ay 6th. Mr S. Bates' grand auction sale of hordes, cattle, &c, came off to-day. This has been the busiest day Opotiki has seen for many a year. The attendance was unusually great, although strangers or visitors were not nearly so plentiful as was expected. Some 200 head were offered for sale, of which more than half changed hands ; some of the milking cows went very low indeed, cow and calf in some instances going as low as £7, while others realised well. Steers and horses sold readily, and fetched fair average prices. In land the buyers were few, and very little business was done. Furniture, stores, sailing boat, &c, all sold well. The sale occupied the -whole clay, and was an unquestionable success ; it is the first of the kind we have had, and was initiated by Mr Stewart Bates as a beginning of a series of similar ones to take place quarterly. Great credit is due to our worthy townsman for his energy and perseverance in carrying through this undertaking to so satisfactory a result, both for himself and for the settlement generally, by the impetus given to business. Of Mr Bates' ' ' first appearance on any stage" as an auctioneer, I can also speak favourably. Perhaps there was a little diffidence on his part at the commencement (a quality which by the way no one would over think oj imputing to him under ordinary circumstances). However, having recovered his native , well, confidence, he kept up the spirit of the business through a long and trying day, and gave general satisfaction. May 7th. FATAL- ACCIDENT. ' News arrived last night of an accident on the Ormond road, which I regret to say has resulted in the death of Mr John Cook, formerly of the Ist "VVaikatos, and a ten years rosident in Opotiki. The circumstances are as follows : — The deceased had been working- on the road, and was returning to this place with a young man named William Crimmins, who was driving some pack horses with empty saddles. Deceased mounted upon one of these, and when within eight miles from Omaramutu and night coming on, desiring to increase the speed of his horse, he struck it incautiously on the

liead with a stick.- The animal sprang ' forward, and in so doing unseated him and he foil with one foot unfortunately fast in. tho strap of the paelc saddle. The horse then bolted, dragging- him over logs, stumps, and stones, and through the creeks, and at length stopped of its own accord. Crimmius, who had not dared to attempt to catch it, as that would only have increased its speed, now arrived, and extricated tho unfortunate man, who was frightfully mangled, and evidently dying. Finding himself unable to restore tho sufferer to consciousness, Crimmins rode into the township at full speed for assistance. Dr Knyland at once returned with him, but on reaching the spot they found that the poor ' fellow was dead. May Bth. The body of John Cook was brought to town yesterday by the Constabulary, and now lies at the Masonic Hotel awaiting an inquest, which will be held at 12 o'clock to-day. 3 The body of Mr P. J. Kelly, who was drowned at Whakatane, has not yet been found. A reward is offered for the recovery of the body.