DISTRICT NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 307, 5 February 1910, Page 5

DISTRICT NEWS

URUTI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) A very narrow escape from serious •if not, indeed, fatal, injury was expen'ciieed' by two ladies the other day on 1 be saddle of the Uruti road leading into the Tangitu Block. A little distance past the Uruti ford the six-foot track '(which is the settlers' only means of Communication with the outside world) Commences, and is cut out of the face of steep papa bluffs. This track senes a great extent of settled country hack towards the Waitara river and beyond. 'Originally six feet, wide, time and neglect have reduced the track to a mere mule-track of from two to three _ feet \vide. In the place where the accident bceurrcd a slip had 'been down for some time, and the leading horse, ridden by Mrs.' Tomkin, of Hawera, presumably Slipped 011 a sandstone bpulder, and in Struggling to- regain its footing it 'knocked against the second horse, ridtten by Mrs. Body, of Auckland, a lady of 05 years, and both horses with thcii riders were precipitated over into the •gulf below. Mrs. Tomkin managed to spring free, but Mrs. Body was flung headlong to the bottom, the horse being taught iu the hush and supplejacks. Their conductor, Mr. Henry, who was leading a pack-horse in front, summoned ■assistance by cooeeing across to Mr. Musker, whose homestead was near at hand. With the aid of ropes Mrs. Body 'was brought up and was found to be' ;.-erv badly bruised and shaken, but, miraculously, with no bones broken. It \vas dark before the horses were drawn Hp, and the plucky ladies mounted them ftgain and pursued their way, tiiis time, however, the horses being led. If this 'state of affairs prevails in •midsummer, what must those unhappy settlers suffer in winter? It is to be hoped that the Clifton County Council, who are the •guardians of the road iu question, will •exert themselves a bit and see after the most dangerous parts at all events'. "A funnel about nine chains long cut through the hill would not only save two miles, but ensure an almost level track. A family of nine people, beven being young chiidren, are now at Uruti waiting to get into their house, which is being built of pit-sawa timber in the block served by this road. When one considers that children of tender years '•will have to ride to and fro along s'uch n goat track, it certainly makes one shudder at the awful .possibilities of risk Involved. .. . ■' i ' '