PALMERSTON NORTH.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5228, 24 December 1877, Page 2

PALMERSTON NORTH.

(pecm ode own correspondent.) December 22. I regret to say we have had another death here. A butcher named John Calvert Aubert went to bathe in the!River Manawatu on Sunday last, in company with another man and a boy, and endeavored to swim across. When near the middle of the river he suddenly shouted out that he could go no further, and sank. His body was not found till the next day, and an inquest was held upon it on Tuesday, when the jury brought in a verdict of accidental death by drowning. His death was probably caused by cramp brought on by the suow water in the river.

The newly-formed fire brigade here held their second meeting on the 18th inst., when Messrs. Snelson and Warburton, the deputies appointed at the last meeting, gave an account of their interviews with the various insurance agents; at Wellington, and stated that they had reason to believe that the Fire Insurance Agents’ Association would at their next meeting grant the brigade a fire engine and fittings. A committee was formed to collect rules and information from other fire brigades, and it was agreed to elect officers' at the next meeting. About thirty members have now joined, which number will probably be doubled before the end of the year. I understand that of the 600 trout lately bought by the Manawatu Acclimatisation Society, only 160 reached Palmerston alive, and were turned into the River Manawatu, the remainder having died in transit. I believe, however, that a fresh lot has been ordered, and will arrive shortly, and that the Wellington Acclimatisation Society have made us the magnificent present of 6000 or 7000 young sa'mon, which will also shortly be turned out in the Manawatu River.