LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 139, 11 September 1863, Page 3

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

The mail steamer Auckland, in entering the harbor on Wednesday evening about 9p.m., grounded on the spit off the north end of the bluff. Capt. Gibson states that owing to the extreme smoothness of the water, there

being no ripple along the boulder bank, he miscalculated the distance from the heads. Having carried out a kedge and hawser, and hauled her bow out to seaward, as the flood tide made, she floated off, fortuately without sustaining any damage. The carbines and swords for the Defence Force were brought down by the steamer. We have heard also that the Militia and Volunteers are to have two day’s firing next week.

By a General Government Gazette of the 3rd instant, we find that Major George Stoddart Whitmore, of Hawke’s Bay, has been summoned to the Legislative Council of New Zealand.

Waipawa Cavalry Volunteers. —The above Gazette also contains the following appointments—George Sisson Cooper to be captain ; Thomas Tanner to be lieutenant; John Russell Duncan to be cornet; date of commissions, Ist September, 1863. Napier Cavalry Volunteers. —A Gazette dated the 27th of August contains the following appointments—Thomas Edward Gordon to be captain ; William Rich to be lieutenant; date of Commission, 20th August, Mr. Worgan’s Concert on Wednesday evening was well attended, there being about 150 present. The execution of the various pieces throughout was highly creditable. The ladies who took part in the entertainment were in good voice, and, although naturally somewhat timid at the commencement, they gradually gained confidence, and sang excellently well. When the two Doctors made their appearance, the audience were pleased, and encored them with loud applause. Mr. Robottom also gave great satisfaction in his violin performance, and was also encored. Mr. Worgan’s pianoforte performances are too well known to need comment from us on this occasion ; but we must congratulate him on the success which characterised his exertions to give the people of Napier a musical treat. The Colonial Defence Corps. —We have received information in relation to the account which has been going the rounds of the press touching the absence from their camp of number of the Defence force, of a nature to warrant our giving a different version of that affair. We are given, upon reliable authority, to understand that the number of men who absconded pro. tem. was not more than eleven, and they went off - contrary to orders ; and as only five of them were mounted, they did not effect any very material numerical lessening ot their troop. In short, the whole affair has been unnecessarily exaggerated. It is, however, very evident that the craving for drink which makes its appearance amongst some of the men composing the corp is so great that they will go any lengths, and undergo any reasonable risks, in order to satisfy that irresistible longing. It would no doubt be advisable to establish a canteen at the camp under strict regulations, which would at once cut off the cause of such free and easy, and at the same time disagreeable proceedings as the French leave system adopted by the thirsty troopers.

Auckland Criminal Sessions. Richard Harper butcher, has been tried for the murder of liis wife on the 16th of June last, the particulars of which have already appeared in our columns. The jury, after about ten minutes absence from court, returned a verdict of Guilty, and His Honor the Chief Justico pronounced sentence of death upon the prisoner. Arapeta, an aboriginal native, was charged with having committed a rape on the person of Sarah Howard. The prisoner was found guilty, and sentenced to six years’ penal servitude.