THE COUNTRY.

Evening Star, Issue 3160, 5 April 1873, Page 2

THE COUNTRY.

Invercargill— Our correspondent, writing on the 4th inst., says It is with regret I have to announce a sad accident which occurred at Ryal Bush, near Winton, on Sunday last, resulting in the death by drowning of a line lad, fourteen years of age, youngest son of Mr Thomas Trumblc, an old settler in this part of the Colony. It appears that in company with another lad about his own age, he ventured one in a flat-bottomed boat on the New River, at a point near Broadknds, the residence of ids father. Some uneasiness being felt at their prolonged absence, an elder brother went in search of them, when the other lad was discovered in the middle of the river, clinging to a snag. On being rescued, he stated that the boat in which they were rowing came into contact with the snag and upset. Young Trumble was swept away by the current, and disappeared. An active search for the bqdy has been going on since Sunday, but as yet without success. Deceased was a fine, intelligent boy, and much sympathy is felt for his bereaved parents,—The second wo l ship of the season, the Palmerston, has cleared at the Customs, and wdll proceed to sea the first favorable opportunity. The declared value of her cargo amounts to L 109.314 sterling. She takes the following quantities Greasy wool, 1,065,1891bs ; washed wool, 430,3751b5; preserved meats, 208,052 lbs.; tallow, 1,027 cwt. ; flax, 70 tons ; 1,120 hides ; GOO skips; 4£ tons bones ; 7 tons tow; and 400 lbs hair; besides sundries. For the quarter ending 31st ultimo the export trade of Invercargill alone amounted to L 223,550, a sum between two and three hundred per cent, in excess of the export trade of the corresponding quarter of the five previous years. These figures, however, do not represent more than a fractional part of the trade. The Customs department, in its wisdom, does not allow t k e port credit for its coastwise trade. Two and three steamers per week are loaded at the several ports for Dunedin, not one penny of which is set down in the returns. It is, no doubt, this evidence of increased prosperity which has induced certain Dunedin and other tradesmen to cast in their stakes with us. The Mayor of Dunedin is, I observe by advertisement, one of the number. There may be an opening for one or two really enterprising men; but for a great many to come down to Invercargill would be perfectly ridiculous. Laboring men are, at all events, in demand. > Now that the harvest lias been secured, it is just possible the demand will not be quite so urgent—The Rev. Mr Rishworth, Wesleyan clergyman, completed his term of ministration in Invercargill last Sunday. The services of that day were specially suited to the event, and on the following (Monday) evening a farewell teameeting was held, at which testimonials of respect and esteem were presented to him. Regarding the estimation in which Mr Rishworth has been held, lam aware opinions differ. On one point, however, all have reason to be satisfied. A few months ago be detected and manfully exposed a flagrant and persistent case of religious imposition. He called attention to it through the columns of the local newspapers, thereby unmasking a piece of pious fraud. For that service alone Mr Rishworth is entitled to the thanks of the community.—The establishment of a woollen factory is one of the public projects at present on hand. A well attended meeting was held a few days ago, at which a report was submitted, stating that L 5,500 would be required for buildings, machinery, &c , together with L 250 for an engine, boiler, kc. On these suggestions it was agreed that a capital of LIO.OOO should be raised in L2O shares. The projectors calculate on realising a nett profit of 20 to 30 per cent., with certain other advantages regarding the quality of the material to be produced.—The writ for election of a representative for Invercargill, in room of Mr Calder resigned, has not yet been received. The general impression is that Mr Cuthbertson’s prospects are rapidly declining. Mr Cutbbertson does not appear to be a man that improves on closer inspection. His attempt to go into the Assembly on the “ double shuffle” card may be said to have completely exploded. At present he occupies the position of a sheep without a shepherd; a politician without any political predilection.