THE COUNTRY.

Evening Star, Issue 3176, 25 April 1873, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

Tokomairiro. — A very severe accident befel Mr Ironsides, of the Barratta flax mills, South Cutba, owned by Mr James Brugb and the sufferer, who, while at avork feeding the the machine on Wednesday forenoon last, had his left arm drawn in between the cogwheels, almost grinding it through immediately above the wrist joint. The limb at the middle of the fore-arm had to be amputated. —The settlers in Wairuna district have set a petition on foot in and around the districts of South Olutha, Popotunoa, and Tapanui, praying the General Government to connect the railway at Balclutha and the Long Ford at Mataurn.— A fire took place on the afternoon of the 19th on the farm of Mr John Hislop, WestTaieri. The fire is supposed to have originated through the carelessness of one of his men, who, after lighting his pipe, threw away the burning match, and which resulted in the destruction of a valuable stack of straw. Had it not been for the presence of mind of Mrs Hislop, who worked with coolness, seifpossession, and judgment, the whole of the stacks inthe yard would have been destroyed. The fire burnt furiously for an hour, and at one time it was feared, from the intensity of the heat, they would have to abandon the stacks. About this time a change of wind occurred, and saved Mr Hislop from further loss. The loss is a serious one (estimated at L4O), and as Mr Hislop lost the whole of bis straw by fire last year, much sympathy is felt for him throughout the district. —Bruce Herald.