ROXBURGH.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 286, 24 July 1873, Page 10

ROXBURGH.

(From, a Correspondent.) Although, I haye ventured to fill the position of correspondent from this place during the temporary absence of " your own," I almost regret doing so as my inexperience lays me open in the performance of the onerous duties of the post to occasionally in, advertently making miracles of trifles, which, while being of some small interest to the general reader, oftentimes affect the too sensitive natures of private parties. I hear that Mr. Craig, the coach driver, had a very narrow escape on his lasc journey up. The coach was going at a fair pace between the rocks I near Mr. O'Brien's, at the Gorge, when the reins broke, and the driver thus losing command of his team, the coach was thrown over some rocks and very much damaged. It is indeed a blessing there was only one passenger, and he, along with, the driver, escaped with only a few slight bruises. The contract for driving on the Fourteen-mile Beach reef has been completed ; but it is a matter of sincere regret that ihe result is not altogether satisfactory. Much sympathy is felt with Mr. Jas. Stevenson, of Horseshoe Bend, in the lamentable loss he has sustained by the accidental death of his child. The child appears to have fallen in a tailrace about ten feet deep, near Mr. Stevenson's house, and its head coming into contact with- a stone caused its death. Mr. Borton, the Magistrate, held an inquest on Friday, and a verdict in accordance with the facts was recorded. Friday was a " red letter " day in the history of the- Horseshoe Bend, from theindisputible fact that for the first time while he has held the office, of Warden Mi. Borton, honored the place with his presence ; not that I would wish your readers *o infer for a moment that onr Warden- is too indifferent to the interests, of all parts of his district, but his district is so large and his duties so numerous that as yet there are several very importanc sections of the Mount Benger district which have never ,yet been personally visited by the Warden, although he has, 1 understand, held the appointment for several years. I really think- the Government ought to appoint an efficient clerk, who could attend to the office work during the time he is so frequently absent from office. A letter in your last issue but one — signed " Anti-Humbug " — escaped mj attention until just now ; and in your last " Civis " very properly, I think, takes him to task for his forwardness in reflecting upon, the actions of the Wesleyan minister here. Indead Ido in all sincerity trust and hope Mr. Ireland may, while fulfilling his political position, be able to devote a por tion of his leisure hours to the conversion of the members of the Provincial Council ; but I sadly fear it needs more than one missionary to secure such a desirable result. The Wesleyan minister is naturally amazed at having such publicity given to. opinions which he may haye given, expression to in the[course of his pastoral visits ; but I really do think that in saying what he did he did not commit such, a grave offence as to require that Jie should deem it necessary to take a copy of the 'STuapeka Times" round to the different ladies of his congregation, enquiring of them, who. was the amiable culprit. As. may be expected, he received a general; denial, for none care to admit such a breach of confidence. Notwithstanding what I said before, I really begin to feel a slight interest in what has been improperly termed the, Roxburgh Itiqxtisition case ;■ and although rather curious to know t,hp wM wife, °k $£. wftofeWi w» f \

think they will not be arrived at through the medium of letters from two rival storekeepers, and therefore would suggest that our friend and representative, Mr. Ireland, had better cause the full report of the enquiry to be published, and thus satisfy all parties. Mr. Irelwnd has always shown himself to be straightforward and honest, and I do not doubt in this case will advocate an impartial inquiry into the affair, which I fear will turn out a myth, but then public anxiety will be satisfied. Mr. Ireland has signalised his debut in political life by showing himself the true friend of the miner and the agriculturist, and has elicited from the Government the gratifying fact that they will lay off a road between Roxburgh and its commonage. I hope he will make the boon doubly great by getting them to fence in the road. It is only about five miles long. He has also moved for £1500 to be voted fbr a bridge over the Molyneux. In this case he has shown how exceedingly reticent he is, and the unassuming, retiring, and unobtrusive way in which he advocates onr wants is indeed a refreshing and agreeable change to the modes xisually adopted by others when they want to gain a purpose. Mr. Ireland reflects in his person the gratitude of the district towards the Go-, vernment by making so modest a request for ,£ISOO when he knows it will take about £4000 to erect a t bridge of any service for ordinary traffic over the Molyneux river. Some think his intention was to bridge the Teviot races and wait until another large block of land is sold in the district before we are entitled to one over the Molyneux.