NOTES BY A TRAVELLER.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1281, 14 September 1880, Page 3

NOTES BY A TRAVELLER.

On the 3rd a very serious accident befel John Powel at Alexandra, The man in question, a recent arrival from Melbourne, was employed in the butchering trade by Mr. Pierce. Powel and three other men happened to be driving an unruly bullock from Mr. Finch's farm at Paterangi to Alexandra ; but the beast taking fright at the Mangapiko bridge, donbled back upon the men and taking Powel, now dismounted from his horse, with his horns dashed him violently to the ground. It would appear that, already, several unsuccessful attempts had beeu made to bring him to the slaughter yard, 'and now the beast maddened by opposition and encouraged by previous escapes, the man who tried to check his furious charge for liberty he easily laid unconscious at his feet and skeltered awjiy with all the pifide of a victor. Poor Powel was half dead with pain. Dr. Blunden, who arrived next day, found him badly injured in the abdomen ; but rest and careful treatment have done very much towards his convalescence. He had a very narrow escape, and if the furious beast had continued to gore him, there can be little doubt but that the result would be fatal. Liberty for himself and not death to the vanquished, seemed to be the object of the raging beast. The Dr. pronounces Powel out of danger, and the inhabitants say that the bullock has not since been found. The pine trees along the street that leads from the Mangapiko Pa to the post office, at Alexandra, instead of being an ornament are a real eye-sore, the cattle of the settlement having made sad havoc with them. Planters of trees should bear in mind that cattle are no respecters of ornaments, and when trees are left unprotected, as in the instance under consideration, they will not escape the notice of hungry cattle. Pines being so hardy and not easily killed, and those in question, if protected by a fence, even in their nagged condition will recover and yet become what they were intended, an ornament to that bad street. Said a wag : "There are three miles between Te Awamu*u and Kihikihi, and four of these aro muddy." But said a medical gentleman : " There are eight people at Alexandra, and nine of these are sick. " It is easier to laugh than to believe, and I prefer to remain incredulous. ' ' Laugh, n then ' 'every dimple in the cheek of home."