COUNTRY NEWS.

Evening Star, Issue 3879, 30 July 1875, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS.

{From, our Exchanges.)

The Waitangi saw-mill is in full operation, and the machinery works splendidly. There has been a difficulty experienced by the proprietor in getting drays to clear away the cut timber, and there is about 600,000 feet of cut stuff in stock.

A man named Henson met with a sad accident on Tuesday, in the Waimate bush. He was filling (acart with metal at a quarry above the north bridge, when a sudden fall of gravel completely buried him. His mates immediately set to work to extricate him, and one of them started on horseback, without delay, for Dr Dunkley. Fortunately, the doctor was at home, and lost no time in proceeding to attend on the injured man, whom he found in a dangerous condition, suffering from a bad spinal injury, besides being seriously hurt in other parts of the body. He was removed at once to his residence, but the poor fellow is not expected to recover. The mail coach between Clinton and Balclutha met with an accident early on Tuesday morning. A mob of cattle had been driven over the road, and a bullock was left lying down, and when the coach approached the animal tried to get up, causing the horses to shy. The coach was upset, but no damage was done, though there were a number of passengers in it at the time. The horses managed to free themselves, and galloped to the Waiwera, where the driver went for assistance. The mails were sent on horseback, and Cobb and Co. accommodated the passengers in a buggy. Wheat sowing has been commenced on the Tokomairiro plain. At the Cardrona the winter season has not caused much real interruption in mining, although the frost has been at intervals very severe. Some few claims are paying well, but the majority only pay ordinary wages. There is every reason to believe that there will be a change shortly, judging from the numerous grants which have been obtained by the miners there.

Crops in the Inch Clutha district are looking well, and the winter sown wheat presents a very promising appearance. Little progress has been made in farming operations for some time past, owing to the severe weather and very heavy gales which have been prevalent. Next month spring sowing will commence, when, with a change of weather, more life will be apparent. Cattle feeding is progressing actively, and good early feeders will shortly be available. With reference to tire unfinished Ciutha railway bridge the 4 Leader ’ has the following “ Referring to our remarks regarding the delay allowed to exist in connection with the erection of the railway bridge hsre, we have been informed that tenders will shortly be calli d for the completion of the work. In the meantime, and in order to obviate future delay, the Government have themselves contracted for forwarding all the material now lying in Dunedin round by coast to the site, so that the contractor may at once proceed with the work on the spot so soon as the job is let. This is gratifying to the extent that it is an evidence that the matter of the bridge has not altogether been forgotten, or the idea of erecting one abandoned ; but at the same time a most unwarrantable delay has already been allowed—one which will cost tho country a heavy sum, and will ultimately prove a very great expense and inconvenience to the travelling public.”