ITEMS OF INTEREST.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2, 3 January 1900, Page 4

ITEMS OF INTEREST.

A. narrow esoape from a drowning tGcid^nt occurred on (Sunday aenr the R >wi"tf Club's shed. Sergt. -M- jor Mason's bo" was bathing in the rivei there, and beint; unable to swim wan cautiously wading in the water wh»n he eudde- ly sank in a quicksand or soft place on the i ottom and in his efforts to extricate himself became submerged in the river. There was no one else bathing at the time, a number of other bathers being on the point of leaving. He owes bis rescue to the timely help given by one of these, >onng Mr Fair* wenther, who on hearing his struggles ruahed to the spot, and without waiting to throw off any of bis clothing promptly plunged into the river to the rescue. Young Mason was abln after a short time to proceed home fully recovered. One of the oldest residents of Blenheim died last evening, in the person of Mrs Anne Taylcr, t^e relict of the late Mr Joseph Taylor. The age of the old lady was 85 years, and she had been a New Zealand se tier for 40 years, Mrs Taylor arrived at Nelson from England with her husband »nd youug family in the sjbip Queen of Avon in the year 1869. They came straight on to ibeWnirau, in the vessel known bb the Taamanian Mai'?, and that trip is an interesting reminiscence, as showing h< w teliou? was the act of journeying even short diHtancssin the early colonial days. The vessel went from Nelson to Havtlock, where there was only one house ; then to Port Underwood ; acroßN to Wellington ; recrossed the Straits, and failed up the Wairau rvpp to Big Bush, where a store wi»b L»-ing built j for Mr Hutoheson. The party settled down at Blenheim, Mr Teyldr, who died f>ome six years ago. establishing hie blacksmith'a business ; and the deceased lady bng remained her*- ever since. Six* had been a close invalid f i some years pant, and pasxnd swny luet evening at the resi ence of Mr J. B. Raynnr. Mn««rn Joseph, John, and ThoniHH T \1 r are cons <>f deceaetd, and M a J B. R \ner a 'aufhter.