LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 41, 10 April 1862, Page 2

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

Native respect for European rights. —A few days ago some natives visited a settler and wanted to purchase from him a pig which he was not inclined to sell. Finding him obstinate, they threatened to impound (seize) his cattle if he did not comply, but he declined to yield, intending to transform poaka into bacon during the ensuing winter. His hopes were doomed to be blighted, for the other morning his favourite grunter was missing, having evidently been “ taken by the strong arm.” This* is only another instance of the anxiety of the natives to “ conform in all things” to the Queen’s law.

Grass money again.— We arc informed by one of our most respectable settlers that on bis way to town the natives demanded the sum of £2 10s. for grass consumed by the bullocks during the nights stoppage. They did not enforce their claim on this occasion by taking possesion of the cattle and assaulting the driver, probably out of respect to the owner of the team. We may add that the grass in question on this occasion grew on land already leased to Europeans, a proof (if the fact were doubted) that the natives in receiveing rents have no intention of yielding their claim to exact toll, from all customers that fall in their way. The Weather. —On Saturday, the shores of Hawke’s Bay presented a magnificent spectacle, a very heavy surf rolling in, although there was scarcely any wind at the time. During Sunday and Monday the surf subsided considerably. A gale sprung up during Monday night from the N.E., accompanied by heavy rain, which continued until afternoon of Tuesday, when it moderated. A strong breeze blowing from the West last evening.