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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 140, 18 September 1863, Page 6 (Supplement)

Rati a Avis.—Our Dunstan correspondent; furnishes us with the following amusing story :—A rather amusing incident has recently leaked out respecting the alleged discovery of that famousbird the sloa, which has caused so much excitement lately on the Dunstan. A packer having; come into town from a journey up the river, stated in rather a confidential manner, within the hearing of two parties —one, a new chum, having a tendency for natural history, the other an exdealer in wares of an epistolary nature, likewise entertaining that ere long some share of the proffered reward of £SOO for a live specimen of the moa would come to his sharp, and that instead of awaiting the return of the expedition from the West fcCoast, the prize was almost within his grasp—that in looking for his horse one morning, near some huge overhanging rocks, at a place some eight milesfup the river, he descried a cavern, near the entrance of which a considerable quantity of feathers were strewed, and from the extent of the cave, he had no doubt it was the residence of a Moa. After ascertaining the exact locality of its whereabouts, the listeners agreed upon a place of meeting and an early start to effect the capture on the following morning. The ex-dealer in epistolary wares was at the trysting-place at the appointed hour, but not so the new chum naturalist. After some considerable time, the other thinking that his friend had thought no more about the matter, and the day being far advanced resolved to start alone, which ho accordingly did, but had not gone far when, to his surprise who should he meet coming in an opposite direction but Mr. New Chum, who, throwing to the winds all contracts of a binding nature bad resolved to appropriate the £SOO in prospect, and the honor of capturing the Moa to himself. Giving his too confiding companion the slip, he had started at a very early hour, and duly arrived at the cave in question, when instead of it proving the residence of the object of his search, its solitary occupant was a largo brown hawk, which had there taken up its abode, and was quietly gloating itself over the bodies of its captured victims. The feathers showing the place wore nothing more than portions supposed to interfere with the digestive organs of the inhabitant. After an explanation from the zealous new chum naturalist, who had shown such a thorough lack of the principles of honor and rectitude, and who had so basely attempted to outwit an old and experienced colonial resident, he was adjudged to undergo the penalty of a “ shout,” and wash away the stain of dishonor from his tarnished reputation. — Otayo Daily Times. A Jewel Moxoxianiac. — The Duke of Brunswick, now residing in Paris, has an extraordinary collection of diamonds, valued at £450,000. He resides in a house which is built less for comfort than safety ;it is proof against fire or thieves. It is surrounded by a lofty, thick wall, on the top of which is a chevaux clef rise, so arranged that when a strange hand is laid on one of the spikes, a bell immediately begins ringing. This defence cost the Duko no less t han £2,000 in being made, owing to its peculiar nature. The diamonds are kept in a safe let into the wall, and the Duke’s bed stands before it, so that no thief can break in without waking or murdering him. On the other hand he can enjoy the sight of all his treasures without leaving his bed. Were the safe to be broken open forcibly, four guns would be discharged and kill the burglar on the spot; and with the discharge of the guns is connected the ringing of an alarm boll in every room to arouse the household. The Duke’s bedroom has only one small window j the bolt and lock on his door are of the stoutest iron, and can be opened only by a man who knows the secret. A case, containing twelve loaded revolvers, stands by the side of the bed. Who would be willing to change places with this rich poor man? The s.s. Bangatira, Captain J. Matheson, is advertised, for her first-trip on the coast, to leave Auckland on the 2Slh inst., for Dunedin, via Napier ; and on her return to call at Lyttelton, Wellington, and Napier. — Southern Cross, Sept. 10. Tue schooner Zillah, Capt. Sullivan, cleared for Napier yesterday, and sailed last night.-* Aieie Zealander, 10th September. We have been given to understand that the s.s. Lady Bird, Capt. Benner, will come up the East Coast in the place of the Wong a Wonga this month. She is duo hero on the 18th instant. — Ibid.