THE COUNTRY.

Evening Star, Issue 3171, 19 April 1873, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

■VVaikouaiti. —A fatal accident occurred at Long Gully on the oth inst. On the afternoon of that da y, Mary Ann Robertson, the deceased, who was four years old, and her brother, were playing about a reaping machine on their brother-in-law’s property. The girl, who was on the seat, managed to turn the pole down hill, when the machine started away, and when it came into contact with a fence she was thrown forward, the machine passing over, and so jamming her head and chest, that death must have been instantaneous. A coroner’s inquest was held On the 12th, when a verdict of accidental death was returned. Oram.—The weather in,this part of Otago still continues very dry; and, at the present time, with but little prospect of a change. The miners have suffered considerably by the long drought, and unless we have heavy falls of rain before the hard frosts set in, the supply of water will be very scarce for some months to come, as nearly the whole of the supply is depending upon rain and snow” falls. Now that our township is sold, I think some effort should be made towards forming the road on the proper line. LIOO is promised by the Government for this purpose, provided LSO is raised by subscription amongst the inhabitants ; but this scheme does not find much favor w'ith the residents of Ophir. They say (and with much reason) that the Government should make a special grant of money for forming and repairing the roads through and around Ophir. It is five years since any money was granted for this purpose, and then only LIOO. The had weather is fast approaching, and unless something is done quickly in this matter, the roads will bo utterly impassable. The Progress Committee should petition the Provincial Council for a vote of LSOO at least, to make the road on the surveyed line and repair other portions of the old road. If this sum was granted, a great portion of the road between hero and Clyde and Hill’s Creek would be put in thorough repair, so that it would be passable for a few years at least. Subscription lists have gone the rounds of Blacks so often of late, that people really cannot afford to pay to all of them. Another thing, the persons that receive the greatest benefit from those sort of things, generally refuse to pay any tiling towards them, nor will they take any trouble in the matter; the only thing they seem capable of doing is any amount of growding if things they require are not done to their satisfaction,—l hoar that an entertainment is to be given on the Kith of May, for the benefit of the Blacks School funds. Mr Wm. Pyle, of Sf. Bat,bans, has kindly consented to exh\bif his dissolving views on the occasion. Readings, recitations, songs, &c,, w’ill be given as a second part. The musical portion of the entertainment will be conducted by Messrs Rolands and Campbell, who have kindly volunteered their services. It is to be hoped that the public will respond liberally to the call of the School Committee, as the school at the present time is in debt and some