COUNTRY NEWS.

Evening Star, Volume III, Issue 794, 21 November 1865, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS.

The Wahatlp Mail of the 15th inst. says : The late hot -winds have brought down an immense quantity of snow, and .all the rivers are very high. A party of four, consisting of Messrs Neill, Ross, Warden Simpson, and Minders, on their road to Skipper’s, swam on the ir horses across the Shotover at the spot waere the boat and ropes have’bsea swept away. Tae river here coming out of a narrow gorge rolls on with great force, creating a fierce current. The party did succeed in reaching the opposite shore, but they had a struggle for it, and the current being so strong rendered a hold fast -to the horses a matter of great difficulty. It was a great piece of temerity, for though all Maori Point turned out to witness it, they could not have rendered any assistance to the party had they been swept down the river. Mr Warden Simpson had a very narrow escape, as he was partially swept off the saddle, but he held on to the horse’s mane. Mr Manders was quite knocked up, and all the party considered themselves extremely fortunate, as they had no idea the passage was so dangerous. They were cheered on reaching the opposite side, but the party had to ride in wet clothes to Skipper’s, though the day was a scorching hot one. A dinner was given on Saturday at Skipper’s -to Mr Warden Simpson, in case he might be suddenly removed ; if not, it was intended to be accepted in the complimentary sense of •the appreciation of that gentleman’s services. About half a dozen Queenstown gentlemen were invited, but only two of these were present. Otherwise the affair was confined to a certain number of the leading shai-eholders in the reefs and the two great water-races, besides the storekeepers .—I bid.