CORRESPONDENCE.

West Coast Times, Issue 74, 23 November 1865, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

[The Editor does not hold himself responsible for any opinions expressed by his correspondents.]

FATAL ACCIDENT AT THE TAIPO,

•TO TUB EDITOR OF THE WEST COAST TIMES. Sir,— Can you inform mo why the Canterbury Government have not put a footbridge or a punt across the Taipo? I was at the river last Friday, going up tho road, when two men came from the Christchurch side. One, fording, got nearly swept away; his mate would not attempt it. Four men I had passed then came up and tried' to cross. Ono fell and managed to get back to shore with difficulty: his mate got across. I and the latter man forded 20 yards higher up, and got over. When I looked back I saw the fourth man standing in the deep part of tho stream, keeping himself up With a pole, I went back to assist him along with tho man who had got over first. He was the mate of the man in the river. When he got to him they both lost their footing and were rolled down the stream., On getting out of the river, I saw ono get, ashore, but the other most likely struck a stone; as only his arm or part of his body could lo seen, as he was "carried down, and every attempt that the lookers \>n made to savo him appeared to be useless. A footbridge, at a trifling outlay, would havo 'saved this disgraceful loss of life, His swag was found a long way down, and frbuiapaperj it appears be was a discharged HldieTj—

Name — Jobu Fitzsimmonds 5 served 20 years and 225 days ; four good conduct badges ; cha* racter very good ; discharged at his own request. Signed by Colonel A. Wyatt, 65th Regt. Dated 18th September, 1865. I have, &0,, Veritas, November 13, 1865