CLERICAL ADVENTURES IN THE WAIRARAPA.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2462, 25 February 1882, Page 4

CLERICAL ADVENTURES IN THE WAIRARAPA.

There is a stream of water between Tenui and Oastlepoint (says the “Masterton Star") which, like evil-doers, pursues a serpentine course, and has in consequence to be forded repeatedly during the journey. In this two eminent and well-known dignitaries of the Roman Catholic Church were partially wrecked a few days ago. Our informant tells us that Father Halbwaohs and a brother priest in the course of their provincial tour, were threading their way along the amphibious road in a buggy kindly lent for the occasion when they got into a deep and wide portion of the creek. The horses struggled hard with the current, and the buggy swayed about in the eddy filling the minds of the reverend fathers with consternation and alarm. To go forward was dangerous, to retreat impossible, and the clerical dilemma was intensified by Father Halbwach’s companion vigorously snatching the reins, and calling ont in loud but melancholy accents, 44 Ve shall be drowned ! Ve shall be drowned!” The piteous cries reached the ears of Mr John MoHutohon, clerk to the Castle Point Highway Board, who luckily resides in the neighborhood, and that gentleman was speedily at the creek surveying the situation. Knowing the depth and character of the creek, he threw off his coat and courageously dashed into the current, and soon reached the buggy, where he was over the waist in water. Father Halbwaoh's companion trembled like an aspen leaf between fear and delight, as the highway oificer took him on his shoulders, and discharged him on the bank like a bag of potatoes. The reverend father, who followed, turns the scales, it is said, at fifteen stone ; but the carrier struggled manfully with his precious freight, and deposited him alongside his more timid friend. The buggy was subsequently got out with difficulty, but it was a good deal twisted and knocked about. Mr McHutchon, it is needless to say, received a copious flow of gratuitous blessings for his timely aid.