HYDE.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 403, 9 December 1876, Page 3

HYDE.

(From our own -correspondent.) November 29th

The late melancholy accident resulting in loss of life in the Taieri at Mardling's ' Ferry has quickened into irrepressible, j and it is to be devoutly wished successful, action every one in this district in regard .o the imperative need of anil clamor for a bridge over this much-dreaded river. One of the results of the state of feeling here existing is, that the Progress Com-* mittee held an extraordinary meeting on the 27th inst., when the following resolution, proposed by Mr. John Luughton, and seconded by Mr. Michael PYendergast, was unanimously carried—" Thar, owing to the great danger incurred in crossing the Taieri at the ford known as Mardling's Ferry, and the frequent loss of life consequent on the peril encountered—no less than three lives having b en lost there within tin- last three years, the latest being that of Mr. Owen Laverty on the 17th inst; to suy nothing of the many narrow escapes which might have been fatal but for Providential interposition—as also the requirements arising from the increasing set'lemeut of Hyde and the evironing district, the Progress Committee deem it necessary that the Government should be .at once requested to make special appropiiation for, and commence building a traffic bridge at the place previously mentioned ; ihey also think that in a mi tier of such immense consequence as this is, that their suggestion would be more pointedly directed by an expression of public opinion specially asked for, in connection herewith—rhe/e- j fore, it is resolved to call a public meeting in this behalf on Tuesday 28th." The ! meeting was duly convened aud took place ! in the Commercial Hotel — Mr. John Laverty being appointed to preside. He read flu: notice requesting the attendance of the residents. The subject was to him a most painful one, and In., would not fur ther dilate upon if than to observe, that this/iyer was most treacherous and dangerous ; that even, when seemingly harm- i less it was to be approached with dread, that they were now frying (o do, in ask- j ing for a bridge, that, which had been j asked for and repeatedly promised years i ago, that ihe time now had come when to withhold this necessary work, would be to make the authorities chargeable with, and answerable lor whatever of destruction and disaster might happen on the river in the future. Tuey could'nfc complain of want of knowledge of the fact of the peril*, besetting people whose avocations compelled them 10 cross the dangerous Taieri daily. Thrr-e victims had in a short period been swallowed up in its cruel wafers, and it was fully time, in the protection of life, of property, of their material welfare, too, in connection with the improvement of the district and the furtherance of their means of living, that tiiis bridge should be instantly conceded and set agoing. Of his own knowledge, from his ousiness transactions, he knew that the want of a bridge was a great di a whack to the advancement of this place. Many commercial travellers, persons employed in various «a parities depen.ia.it on settlement, have often been detemd.. from veiling Hyde, although actually on their way, when they were made acquainted with the difficulties often met with at the Taieri River. They not only came not themselves, but their ill report to friends and others had a damaging effect upon the reputa'ion of the place. The. Progress Committee, he said, had acled most laudably in so promptly taking the matter up with the view of bringing public and united acuun to bear ! upon the question before them. If they ! now went ahead withrut stopping by the way there was every reasonable hope of success attending their efforts. Messrs. M'lyiy, E. .O'Connell, Luughton .Eros., and others spoke in similar strain. These resolutions were unanimously adopted, i.e. Proposed by Mr. Meade, and supported by Mr. E. O'Connell—"T at in the opinion of this meeting it is absolutely necessary that a bridge across the Taieri, at Mardling's Ferry, should at once he taken in hand by the Government. The safety of life, of property, the settlement of the district, unmistakeably demand that this work should not longer be delayed, that therefore a me orial, embodyins our want and reasons, be prepared by the Progress Committee, and sent, to the proper quarter, asking that immediate eflect be given to the fulfilment of our just claim and right to a Bridge." Proposed by Air. M'JEay, and secouded by Mr. Laughlon—" That Mr. Meade, Secretary of the Progress Committee, be requested to write to C. A. de Lautour, j-.sq, District Member, asking him to kindly give his. valuable assistance in bringing this ' business (o a successful issue, and" ihat ! lie will be pleased to inform the Secretary. on behalf of the put.lie as to the best mode to be adopted in connection with the memorial.-'lhe meeting closed in the usual way. A sc.-irch is still being concluded for the discovery of Mr. »)weu Laverty's remains. His brother had a man specially employed all iast week a M r. M*Lean. He expl .red the Taieri down to the place known as the "iron Bar," below P.gsou's Station, as also did ihe Constable Gallagher, !mt their labors were unattended with success. Last Saturday night a report was circulated by a person who came, as he sdd expressly from Deep-dale, to tell that the body of a man, some swags, and horse covers, were seen by a traveller in the river at. or near Main's crossing. Of course the greatest excitement prevailed, and the whole town was agate all night in the eager hope that poor Laverty's remains would be recovered and laid to vest, with Christian reverence. Before day his brother and three other horsemen ,rode off to the place indicated, found some i hoase covers belonging to a carrier named

MBngan \iLo Lad lost them off his waggon the day previously while crossing, with a load of wool, but atas nothing more. The additional matter muat have sprang 'rom the nuik imagination of the informant, as it turned < ut afterwards that nothing about swaps, Ac, had ever been .«aid by the traveller. However the relatives of the deceased, and everif one, here, would cling to the faintest hope hence' tlie excitement 'so despondently allayed. I see in your last issue the " Mope Deferred" is advertised as about to be open for application on thesth proximo. Surely there is some mistake in the terms too tliis time. Only Blocks VE. and X. jre mentioned in the paper, whereas flie surveyei plan contains Blocks VI V7I. and X. Such sharp practice is the order of events now whenever land is wanted for settlement that I fear " Surveyor-in-Chie I '." or squatter in terrofem, may pounce like vultures on any flaw that might be fitted to have the effect, of preventing the placing of the people upon the land, and with some d —-hie clause (claws) or other, keep back the useful woik of Colonisation and progression. The Waste Land Board has been communicated with directly by the Progress Committee, and have been asked to permit applications for the deferred payment block to be made at the Land Office here. The Superintendent previously, too, bad been written to in this regard, and replied he had referred the matter to the Waste Land Board. f i hat autocratic and seemingly irresponsible body has not yet deigned to reply, though some time has elapsed. At least an answer, yea or nay, would only be common courtesy.