LOCAL INTELLIGENCE

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume I, Issue 17, 24 October 1861, Page 3

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE

Another Death by Drowning. —We are sorry to inform our readers of the death by drowning of Mr. Campbell Me.Donald. lie bad just returned from AVaugauui with a lot of horses, which ho left at Mr. Macarthy's on account of the heavy freshet in the Petane river, and, on Tuesday last, was on his way to Tongoio, when, by some mysterious accident, the horse lie was riding' got into a deep creek, usually dry, but now filled with a sort of backwater, and the poor fellow was drowned. His body was found by some Natives, and must have been upwards of two hours in the water. At the inquest held yesterday before the Coroner, a verdict of Accidental Heath was returned. We hear that the Natives who seized Air. Shirley's cattle on a claim for grass money have agreed to return them unconditionally, but on the other hand, we know that demands of the most extravagant nature have been made on another gentleman by some Natives in his neighborhood. These extortions, for in most cases they are so, and the unconcealed contempt which the Natives entertain for the “ majesty” of the law, are fast assuming a crisis. It is not in the nature of human endurance long to submit to these vexatious and constantly increasing demands. The meeting convened for last Tuesday was postponed, on account of the tempestuous weather, to Tuesday next. The Chohab Society's Concert. —On the IGtli hist, the Napier Choral Society gave their second concert in the Provincial Council 'Chainher, which, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, was numerously attended. The performances of the several pieces were listened to with exemplary silence and attention, and frequently elicited a well-merited tribute of approbation. The programme was well selected, and the music generally of a high class character ; indeed, we think that the conductor would do well to sink the so-called dignity of the science he so ably represents by interspersing amongst the nuggets a little more quartz and oilier adventitious matter, for wo are ner-

suaded that the public generally do not appreciate the first-class concerted music, and think their quid pro quo would be better realised by the infusion of a little music of a lighter <md more popular character, such as songs, duets, &c. Amongst amateurs it is not usual to select names, or point out individual excellencies, although we could do so ; suffice it to say that all and each in their several vocations labored well and earnestly, and the result must have abundantly satisfied them. Cold-blooded critics may take exception to these remarks, but let them stand on the stage and attempt to do better. They may then find a vast difference in that position to their own firesides, their own piano, or their social gatherings generally. It is but due to the Choral Society to state that some of its most talented male members are away, and many of its equally talented female members were debarred from attending through untimely social occurrences. All these we trust will be present at the next concert, which will be given in December next, and for the benefit of the Church of England building fund ; on which occasion a host of talent, independent of the society itself, will lend its aid. AVe can scarcely conclude this notice without the addition of our small meed of admiration to the performances of Mr. Worgan during the whole evening, and also to Mr. Eobottom.

A Calf with Three Heads. —Dame Mature piayod a wonderful frolic, last week, on a calf taken from a cow belonging to Mr! He slop, at Puketapu. It bad three heads, two of which had to be cut off before it could be taken from its mother, in which skilful and difficult operation Mr. Harland, veterinary surgeon, was completely successful.