HIS OFFENCE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2789, 4 January 1888, Page 2

HIS OFFENCE.

A housemaid, after, bejjig a short time in her place, gave warning. Her mistress-asked her what she. had to find fault with—was the work-too hard, or what ? No; she had nothing to complain of on that score,' hut she could not stand being prayed at by the master at ■ morning prayers. Mistress (kiuitor) : "What on earth do-you mean ? Your master does not pray at anyone."- "Oh, yes he does marni;. he prays at me every day, and 1 won't stand it any longer." " What does ho say then ?" " Why,-Jie.says, "O Lord, wholatest nothing■ biit the housemaid.",. |listreSß,titer. j Vlittle reflection and further -inquiry,; ascertains that Mary.had tlius interpreted: "OLord,. nothing that ■skm mfo'-Mtm Society.

SERIOUS.; %sipMs?s' THE .": •mastepoJ'la&ng;/ 5 ;: unfortunate result op a ■" ,;. ■ : dive, v '■•■■■;

A most unfortmiate and serious accident occurred at the Waipoua bathing siiecls at.balf past; eleven o'clock this morning, the victim of the 'occurrence. being Ernest France, a youth aged about' 19ycto, : the sonof a Mr France who has an appointment aU#|: Wellington Lunatic Asylum.■ ~Jj|jße, who liiiS'just served his apprenfflfiiip in the •printing office.of and who, it may also be mentiohed,is well known as. a first class rifle ibotj came up; to Masterton. last Saturday, with'' the intention of: having a few days holiday-here before 1 commencing work as ;■ a journeyman printer. He .had we understand: decided-to [return liqrao/'by this afternoon's train, but no doubt influenced by the seasou* able weather, for it, ■ went down to the Waipdua bathing place this nibrning for the purpose of having'. $ swim. There was no qne.preseno on the scene but some little" boys, and, their first attention was called to France by, seeing him prepare to dive.'' He hasused to salt, Water and evidently miscalculated the. difiference in density, between it and fresh.wateiyfor in plunging in head foremost,, he struck 'the bottom with his-bead;'' The boys noticed" that France- diet* not.come to,' the surface, and'after'he had remained below for a minute they saw that in shaking his head, which,he was doing,! he was using his only means of indicating his helplessness, and'Avasnot as at: first thought disporting •h"imsel f in fun. 'He by this time had come to the surface," and was drifting down stream. The boys, however, waded and swam , into deep water, and succeeded in getting hold of. him, and dragging him to the bank. It ,was then seen that France was 'completely paralysed, for although the river bottom is shingly and had ouly in. the slightest degree scratched his head, it had b/concussion of the spine destroyed all motor power. The youth was at, Jibe time, and has since been quite sensible, and is sensitive to every touch but has lost all power of bodily movement. Dr Hosking was soon summoned, and he took with hiin Mr A. R. Bunny, and together they first

removed France, to- a mote sheltered position, and then afterwards to Mr JacksonVhoHse ia Dixoti-street where he now lies. The sufferer's first anxiety appeared to be as. to bow bis mother would bear the shock, and Dr Hosking we understand has dispatched a telegram by which the news will be imparted in the least alarming way. As we go to Press, from later enquiry" we learn that tho patient is making as good progress us can be expected, after such a serious shock, but beyond aslight prickling sensation there is rio indication of returning power of move-, nient. The doctor iB bai'dly yet able to say to what extent the base of tho brain his suffered,. The injury, however, is most serious, arid from . the youth of the patient and the surrounding circumstances, the case is one in which great sympathy will be felt. We hear that a second telegram has been sent to Mrs France asking her to come to Musterton at once,- .

SUPREME COURT. , Wellington, December i The Supreme Court ctitnihalsessions commenced this morning before Justice Richmond. There were r& cases of a serious nature, and the charge to the grand jury contained nothing of special interest. CASTLE POINT ROAD BOARD. A meeting of the Board was held on Saturday last. Present Messrs Maunsell (Chairman) Langdon, and Andrew. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and.coufirmed.,

The Treasurer reported the balance in Bank to be £427 Is Bd, and balance available for future expenditure, 1320, Correspondence was read as follows, From the Chief; Surveyor re Adam's Peak "Road.—From. Mr Miller and others re metalling near the Hotel.— From Messrs Langdon Bros, re road to Rewe Rewe.—From. Commissioner Property Tax re. rates on Native lands. The Clerk of Works report was read and cbusidered.' ■"'■•■• It wasresolved-That Messrs Miller and others be requested to contribute towards the metalluigv. applied for.— That tenders be called for'-metalling 'from the Tinui Hotel towards Miller's, —That the cutting on the Uriti line near Mr Elder's he. made.—That Mr Maunsell interview Messrs Langdon Bros., in respect to the road to Rewe •Rewe. That the suggestions of Messrs Maunsell and Langdoii in respect to the alterations on the Black Hill Bridle track be adopted. The meeting then adjourned. '