MAORI POINT.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume II, Issue 80, 3 February 1864, Page 4

MAORI POINT.

(from our own correspondent.) February 2nd. Last Wednesday night, 27th January, Maori Point was again visited with another flood, which did an awful amount of injury on the Shotover. The men, who were in great spirits, taking the bottoms off their paddocks, were all at once deprived of the benefit of their past hardships. At Maori Point, the United Company's dam was broken, and about a dozen crates carried away, making a great breach in the centre, through which the water rushed with great velocity, and destroying the paddocks belonging to the Perseverance Company, which were bottomed the latter having taken part off of one paddock, which yielded 21 lbs. 7 dwts. On Thursday morning old crates, rafts of timber, pumps, slabs, &c, could be seen floating down the river. No communication could be got across the river for two days. Great reports are being spoken about, and billies full and pannikins seem to be all the go. I am, however, sorry to see that the flood has done so much harm to all the claims on Maori Point; it was really interesting to witness nearly 350 men working the old bed of the river in good heart and spirits, when all of a sudden their hopes are blighted, but I trust only for a very brief period. There are several reports of injuries being done to dams up the river towards the Sandhills, and some slight injury at Wilson's Beach. Stapleton's Beach has stood the shock well. On Sunday evening, it became very gloomy looking towards the N.W., and after nightfall it commenced raining, and blew a very hard gale with sudden squalls, accompanied with lightning and dreadful peals of thunder; about 11 p.m. the river was fearful, and the sudden squalls threatened destruction to the huts and tents of all on the river—morning came and then could be seen another flood, which has not yet abated. The storm has moderated, but the rain continues to come down in torrents. Where the breach was made in the United Company's race by Wednesday's flood, this last one has made it much larger, causing a great portion of the river to flow in its original course, and covering Strahan's and Campbell's claims. Some damage was also done to the houses of David Wilson's Royal Hotel, Herman Brown's store, George Anderson's Victoria Hotel, and several others more or less suffered through the effects of the storm.

Mr. Thackeray has nearly completed the bridge at Maori Point Foot passengers can now cross, but as yet no horses, as it is not fully completed. Credit ought to be given to this enterprising man, as now one can cross the river, no matter how high may be. An inquest was held before Mr. Warden Williamson on the 27th ult., on the body of a miner named George Matthews, killed the day before while working in a gorge at Pleasant creek, above Stony creek. It appears that George Matthews and a mate named Edward Tier were sinking, when a piece of the overhanging rock gave way, without the slightest warning, striking Tier on the leg, and covering Matthews all over. Godfrey Wild, another mate, was standing at the time about ten feet away, at the sluicebox, and he immediately ran and with the assistance of Tier, who was not much hurt, tried to lift the rock off with their bands, but did not succeed. They immediately procured a lever close at hand, and one prized the rock up whilst the other pulled Matthews from underneath. The poor fellow was insensible for a few minutes after. He then spoke and said he felt sick, and requested to betaken to the hut. Dr. Morton was immediately sent for to Maori Point, and arrived about two hours after the accident. Whilst the Doctor was examining his injuries Matthews died, having lived about two hours after the accident. He bled very much from the left ear, and complained of being injured about the left hip. A verdict of M Accidental death" was found. The deceased is believed to be a native of Cambden, New South Wales, where his parents reside. About 23 or 24 years of age, light complexion, six feet high, no whiskers. He was buried on the 27th January at the Maori Point grave yard. [We are compelled to hold over till our next issue the report of the reception of his Honor at Maori Point, in consequence of the late arrival of our correspondent's letter.]