BALCLUTHA

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 136, 15 September 1870, Page 6

BALCLUTHA

(From our own Correspondent,) It appears our municipal elections must stand in abeyance for another year. This is much regretted, for although our main road, or street, as it shall hereafter be called, is kept in excellent condition by the Government, yet the parallel and cross streets are quite impassable, and in many places dangerous to man and horse. The body of the man drowned at Clydevale Station in June last, was found at the old punt jetty here, on the 26th ultimo. The body, notwithstanding it was well nigh three months in the water, was in almost a perfect state of preservation — the clothing being nearly as good as when last worn by the deceased, The inquest was adj ourned from the 26th August to the Ist September, for the purpose of obtaining evidence from Clydevale as to how the deceased came by his death. On the Ist instant the inquest was again adjourned until 10 a.m. on the 2nd, as one of the jurymen was absent. Four witnesses were brought down from Clydevale, including the manager at the upper station — for what purpose we know not, as Mr. Cameron was permitted to leave without giving any evidence. From the testimony given by the other witnesses, I may quote a few statement to enable your readers to understand the facts of this unfortunate accident. On the Bth June last, James M'Gillivray was assisted to harness his horse to a dray, for the purpose of removing nets and hurdles on the farm. He then, after leading the horse for two hundred yards, drove along the river bank. About three hours afterwards the horse and dray were found in the river — M'Gillivray's coat, dinner, and two dogs being found on the bank alongside, but no trace of the unfortunate man could be seen, although he was dragged for during the whole of the afternoon, Marks of the dray upsetting were clearly visible. M'Gillivray was considered a good horseman when riding, but was not much used to driving, The horse was his own, and had ploughed for two seasons, but had never been much in other harness. He was advised not to use him in the dray that morning, but to employ one of the station horses. The jury returned a verdict "That James M'Gillivray was accidentally drowned in the river Molyneux by the capsizing of his dray." Disappointments frequently come in pairs. Our mayor-elect is rashly stopped from entering the election contest, and the " Clutha Ensign " is :»s suddenly precluded from unfurling Jjjs banner. But we have a live editor

among us, for is not the " Telegraph " edited at Balclutha. Telegrams are generally short, but they are expected to convey some important communication. If this extraordinary magazine was conceived, edited, transcribed, printed, and published by the electric fluid, it certainly reflects the author, the printer, and the publisher, in its premature appearance, its concise form, its quick and abrupt dispatch, if it lack the other recommendation. It appears that Mr. Mackay is not satisfied with the present support given him in the district, and has determined to wait a little longer before exposing his " Ensign ; " and I think he may be right. ___ m __________ mm _