WAIRARAPA AFFAIRS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 22, 24 June 1871, Page 15

WAIRARAPA AFFAIRS.

FEARFUL ACCIDENT. A terrible accident occurred on the North-Eastern Road, near Featherston, last Friday night, which fortunately, however, did not result in the loss of human life. A new bridge is in the course of erection over the stream which crosses the main road three times between Featherston and the Rimutaka; and an official notice was published in the papers to the effect that the road would be closed for fourteen days to waggons on and after Thursday last. On that day Hastwell’s and Walker’s drays got safely over the old bridge, which on account of its dangerous condition was about to be removed. On Friday two heavily laden timber drays, each cariying sixteen telegraph poles, also succeeded in crossing safely. On the same day several messages reached Mr Petherick, the contractor for the new bridge, to the effect that Bannister and Caves’ waggon was behind, and requesting him to delay taking down the old bridge until that had passed over. This request was considerately, and, as it turned out, unluckily complied with. Just at dusk on Friday evening,-and after the men had left off work, Mr Caves’ waggon was heard descending the deep cutting in the vicinity, the lad, who was riding on the top, having fortunately descended to check the wheel. Cave, who was on the shafts, with reins in hand, and having full command of his splendid team, consisting of seven fine heavy draught horses, cried out, “ Is all right ?” The reply was “ Yes, but come steady.” This direction was attended to, but just as the hind wheels of the waggon had got on the bridge a loud crack was heard, and immediately after one half of the bridge tumbled down with a tremendous crash, which was followed by the other half, on which the fore horses had then arrived. It is supposed that Cave was thrown first into the air and then precipitated into the stream, a distance of 15 feet. The men who had been working at the new bridge rushed to the scene, when search was made for Cave, who was found at the bottom of the bank, stunned, cool, and uninjured. The horses were then released after some difficulty ; and five of them were got out safely; but the sixth had his leg broken, and was subsequently killed, the seventh, an entire, which was in the shafts, was killed on the spot. Strange to say the waggon was scarcely injured, and was found with its four and a half tons of goods lying undisturbed on one of the fragments of the bridge. Mr Petherick, with his men, worked with a will, and shortly after half Featherston arrived at the scene of the disaster. Mr Mitchell, of the “ Royal Tiger,” was proceeding to Wellington at the time, and rendered valuable service in releasing the horses, and in then returning to Abbott’s for assistance. The whole of the valuable goods were got out without having sustained much injuiy, and on the same night Cave proceeded to Masterton, where he arrived in safety. Mr Petherick has suffered considerable loss, both by the injury done to the timber, the large stringers having been snapped through the middle, and also by having to erect scaffolding for pile driving, instead of making use of the old bridge for that purpose; but everybody is thankful no lives were lost. It is a question for the Provincial Council to decide whether on account of both roads and bridges, some restriction should not be imposed on the weight a waggon is allowed to carry. SUDDEN DEATH. The wife of Mr D. Cadenhead, of Featherston, d : ed suddenly on Thursday last, in child-birth, aged thirtyseven years. She was buried on Sunday. when a large number of settlers followed the remains to the grave. WHAREAMA ROAD DISTRICT. At a meeting of the ratepayers of the above held at Cripps’s on the Bth inst, the following were elected a board of wardens, viz., Messrs Andrew, Meredith, Mansell, Dymock, and Whishaw. Mr Andrew was chosen chairman, and Mr F. Maunsell treasurer. A rate of a farthing an acre was imposed. REV. J. ROSS. It is with regret I learn that this gentleman is about to leave the district, where he has been stationed for some years, and where he has secured the good opinion of the settlers generally, as well as that of h : s own denomination. He

will deliver farewell addresses in several parts of the valley before leaving for Turaldna, to which district he has been appointed.

THE EDUCATION BILL. The school teachers here, and, with the exception of one or two wealthy, but childless settlers, the public generally are strongly in favor of the rating clauses in the new Education Bill; and they tiust that whatever olher amendments the bill may undergo, that these clauses will be retained. THE HIGHWAYS BILL. A telegram reached Grey town on Saturday morning to the effect that this bill had passed its second reading by a majority of one, and that two of the members for the Wairarapa had voted for, and two against it. It is a pity that on such a subject the whole of the members cannot pull together. Some legislation is absolutely necessary, and the machinery could be improved in committee, without the necessity of shelving the bill altogether. If the several wards are fully represented in the district board, the strongest objection, to the extent of the latter, will be removed. THE “MERCURY.” Our local journal was not published on Saturday; but this is not the first time that it has failed to appear on its usual day of publication. If bricks could be made without straw, most certainly a newspaper cannot be published without paper. A Wellington journal before now has had to be printed on blotting paper, and wrapping paper has had to be used when printing paper was not to be obtained ; but neither of these resources are available to one printed in the Wairarapa. When there is no printing paper to be had, no paper can be printed, which was the case in the present instance. RIVER BANKS. I beg to suggest to the consideration of members, when the 20th Clause of the District Highways Act is before the Committee, the propriety, or otherwise, of including river embankments amongst the works to be placed under the management of the Board which could be maintained by a special rate; and which, if placed under the control of the Board, would render a special act for the puipose unnecessary. The Hutt river, as well as several of those in this district, has occasionally done much damage to roads, as well as to private property; and, for that reason, some power should be given to road boards in the matter.