NEW ZEALAND.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2349, 27 September 1880, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

[Pee “Times” Special Wire.] The Country. Auckland, Sept. 27. The late rains have considerably benefited the country districts. An Absurd Threat. A settler named William Hill having been driven off his land atWaikari, near liingariri, and no reply having been received, to appeal to the Government for protection, the settlers in the neighborhood, threaten to raise a corps, and take tlie law info their own hands. An Offer Prom Siincolnshire. Grant and Foster, offer to purchase land at Tc A robe if they can come to terms with the Government. Seymour Georgs on the Stump. Seymour George addressed the electors on Saturday, and received a vote of confidence. His platform was no further borrowing, continuance of State education, insular separation, and abolition of the county system. Satl Accident to a SBoatbuilder. Wellington, Sept. 26. An accident happened this morning to a man named Thomas Kitchen. He was engaged in launching a small launch when one of (he guys was carried away and the vessel fell on his chest. It is believed his back is broken. Cagod Blackbirds. CIIRISTCHUHCII, Sept. 27. The Hiucmoa arrived at Lyttelton at 6.30 this morning with the convicted Maori prisoners. The prisoners were conveyed to Eipa Island.

A Contractor Browned. Dunedin, Sept. 27. A case of drowning oecnn-ed in the harbor on Saturday morning by which Hubert Shaw, contractor for the erection of beacons for the Harbor Board, lost his life. The scone of the mishap was nearly opposite Eavensbourne. Shaw and two brothers Horne had gone to work as usual, and were on board a punt from which the pile driving was done. About half-past eight, it being necessary to shift the punt, Shaw went away in a small boat with an anchor to drop at a spot about 80 yards westward. On reaching the spot ho stood up in the stern of his boat to cast oil' the anchor, when the boat tilled and lie fell headlong into the water. The brothers Horne were in the punt, and as botli could swim they jumped into the water. One was seized with cramp, and could not. leave (he punt, but the other swam to where Shaw was, and secured hold of him. The drowning man was insensible at this time, having been a few minutes in the water. Horne held him up for about iivo minutes, when becoming exhausted lie had to let him go, and he sank. Horne with some difficulty got back to the punt. It was half past ten before assistance came. The body was found shortly after dusk between Eavensbourne and Burke’s town in 12 feet of water. Shaw was a married man, residing in NorthEast Valley, and had been in the colony twelve months, having come here as master of a vessel called the Chifton Brothers. The Hornes, particularly Arthur, behaved with much bravery. Boy Sportsmen. A serious accident occurred on Saturday afternoon, on the hill some distance from Cavcrsham. A lad named Benjamin Alrenshaw went out rabbiting in company with another lad named Mcthvcn. They had one gun, and a ferret and net. About 4 o’clock they r wore securing rabbits at the mouth of a hole and had placed the gun on the ground, when a second rabbit sprang away. Alrenshaw called out to Methven to shoot it, and both in the excitement ran towards Die gun. Mcthvcn got it but Alrenshaw coming up he was in the act of handing it to him when the charge went off and entered Alrcnshaw’s body on the left side. Alrenshaw states that Methven is in no way to blame. Mcthvcn cannot say what made the gun go off. Caversham Illuminated Again. A lire at Cavcrsham last night destroyed the shop and dwelling of Mrs Griffiths. The stock and furniture wore insured in the Liverpool, London, and Globe for £2OO, and the building, which belonged to Mr Machin. in the same office for £250.