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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 306, 24 December 1881, Page 4

A somewhat exciting adventure befell four Waimate Plains settlers recently, who had gone out for a day's sport wild cattle shooting in the bush at the back of Manaia, They had killed one old bull, and also succeeded in dropping another old stager which fell as if dead. All hands advanced to survey and ad-

mire the monster, when suddenly the bull rose, and went straight for the nearest man. Of course there was a general skedaddle ,and they all took to their heels and made for the nearest tree. Mr Clements, who was one of the party, was somewhat unfortunate in his choice and had some difficulty in getting up out of the bull's way. He managed to climb just h'gh enough to be able to feel the bull's horns brushing his heels, in its efforts to avenge the wound inflicted by the fir9t bullets. After a few minutes, he sang out to his companions that he was afraid he would be killed ; he must let go as his strength was exhausted. The bull meantime, kept close guard, and at last Clements let go, slipped or fell to the ground, and ran for bare life. The bull was too quick, however, and knocked him down and would hare gored him to death, but for toe dirersion afforded by his dogs. He managed to gain a more secure retreat later, and ultimately passed a cartridge to another of tbe '• treed" ones, who succeeded in killing their besieger. It is said that a hat thrown down in front of this old and vicious bull was quickly torn iv pieces by him, and that but for the clever ccnvejance of the only cartridge left to she best shot of the party, who did good service with it, all fi.ur of the men are satisfied that they would have been up iv the tree yet. This latter part sounds like a little embellishment., which may not bo strictly correct. A little exaggeration may well bo pardoned under the circumstances, and should be ascribed to the excitement of the moment. — ttawea Star. An epidemic of an unknown nature has broken out at Kangaroo Ground, New South Wales, and with.n a few days a large number of women and children died from it, including five in a family. A correspondent of the Aryu-s says : — A strange peculiarity of the disease is that its victims seem conscious of its fatal influence and give way , without an effort. Two adults, who were first attacked, predicted tbe date of their dtath almost exactly. The duration of the illnets is generally from two to four days. Its ■ frightful virulence may be imagined when it , is stated that Mrs James Taylor and her two children laid dead iv the house at the same time. The symptoms are a large swelling of tue glands of the ni;ck,accouipauied with a violent fever. The local doctor pronouuct.s the disease to be highly contagious.