LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 132, 24 July 1863, Page 3

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

Mrs. Welch’s Concert last night gave great satisfaction to a large audience, and is spoken of as one of the best ever given by our local talent, and reflecting great credit on those who took part in it.

Meeting of the Settlers and Maories at Pawiiakaieo. —Monday, the 20th inst., being the day fixed upon for a meeting between the Natives and Europeans of this Province, a considerable’ gathering was to be seen. The day was fiue but cold, and a considerable number of Napier beauties honored the meeting with their fair presence. As is usual upon such occasions, a great deal of talk was got through, and many fine speeches were delivered by divers Maori orators, —the purport of all which was that they (the Maories) entertained a high regard for Her Majesty the Queen, and all whom she chooses to set in authority over them. It was manifest, however, amidst all this fine talk, that there was a skeleton in the cupboard, and presently a bone or two appeared here and there. The skeleton in this case appears to be the Mounted Police Corps. Some pretty unmistakeable hints were dropped about this little, matter, and it was evident that while our dearly beloved brethren were particularly anxious to impress upon us, their dearly beloved'brethren, the necessity for our all living at peace together, and so forth, they could not repress a feeling of decided mistrust of our peaceful intentions, so long we keep up a large armed force, and also recruit from the ranks of the settlers for that purpose. The hospitality of the chiefs of Pawhakairo is proverbial, and on the occasion of which we treat they did justice to their well-earned repute in that behalf. Under a long shed covered with calico were two equally long tables covered with knives, forks, plates, and cups, ready to be covered again with all sorts of good things. Turkeys, geese, fowls, and pigs of enormous size and fatness had been promiscuously slaughtered and cooked for the occasion, and the tables groaned again under the load of good cheer provided. In short, the whole affair was highly gratifying, and we congratulate our Province upon the promising aspect of affairs as regards the Maories. Barring the skeleton, all was harmony and good feeling. We noticed amongst the “ nobs” His Honor the Superintendent, with his supporters or Executive, commonly known amongst men as the “ Lion and the Unicorn.” The Resident Magistrate was also present, and J.P.’s might be seen in large flights hovering about, but as everybody is a J.P. here, it is almost invidious to mention that illustrious distinction as anything more than a sort of family or national appellation, such as Mac amongst the Scotch or 0 amongst the Irish. The C.C. was not present; we suppose Mr. McLean has sent him up to Auckland upon some little errand or other. However, that high functionary was not missed, as Whitmore and McLean are very much alike, especially McLean. Volunteer Corps. —A meeting to consider the question whether a Volunteer Corps should be raised in Napier was held at the Settlers’ Hotel, on Monday last. Mr. J. Buchanan took the chair, and in a somewhat humorous speech, condemned the steps taken by Major Whitmore as ill-judged, clumsy, and floundering. Mr. Fittal moved the first resolution, as follows— That in the opinion of this mooting it is highly expedient that a company of Rifle Volunteers bo organised in Napier, The motion was seconded by Mr. Irvine and carried. Mr. Lindsay moved, and Mr. Walker seconded, the next resolution, as follows—

That the following gentlemen bo appointed a committee to prepare the requisite memorial to His Excellency the Governor, and to procure signatures thereto: —Messrs. Lindsay, Sutton, Boylan, Irvine, Fittal, and Buchanan.

The motion was carried. A motion proposing the adjournment of the meeting until the return of Major from Auckland was made hy Mr. Lechner, but as there was no seconder he withdrew it, and a vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the proceedings.