COLLINGWOOD.

Colonist, Issue 99, 1 October 1858, Page 2

COLLINGWOOD.

[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.] Collingwood," 24th Sept., 1858. An .Inquest was held at the Court House on the body of a digger named Alston. The deceasedj whilst in a state of intoxication, fell off a rock, and was drowned in Slate River, near the Devil's Hill.. I was informed that the diggers had to swim [the body down the river in a coffin until they reached a spot they could ascend with it from the bed ofthe river. ■•■-.'.

.-..A second inquest was held at the Para Para a few days since on the bodies of two natives, who were accidentally burnt to death in their vyarre, about noon on Monday, the 20th instant. Several Maoris have lost all* their clothes, provisions, and in some instances, gold dust and money, by this unfortunate accident. "A subscription is about being _made on their behalf, and as they have contributed handsomely in similar cases in which white men were the sufferers, it is hoped something considerable will be raised for them.

Notwithstanding the clerb of the weather'has not been very propitious during the last week or two, we. now and then hear of good finds of gold. A party of three have just worked out a claim.'; at Rocky. River, yielding them seventy ounces per man, oyer their expenses, in sometliing less than two .months. This needs,no comment.

People; here are anxious to see pub-^ lished, the tenders, whether accepted or not, for the various works advertised to he done in the Massacre Bay district. Some of the works (although I suppose the advertising costs something) are, I hear, not to be done at present, because there are no funds. It is a pity this was noticnown before.