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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 156, 8 January 1864, Page 3

Peril of a Black Figurehead. —The Southern Cross says : —We have heard that at the recent storming of Rangariri a tar of H.M.S. Curaroa, being a man of color, (as what ship of war is without one or two

“ darkies” ?) was wounded in the shoulder. %.s he was proceeding to the rear thus disabled, some of the soldiers in the excitement of the moment, and not seeing him very distinctly with the exception of his dusky visage, mistook him for a IVlaori. "When they threatened to bayonet him, he eyed them coolly and said, “ What, d your eyes, don’t you know^one of your'own countrymen ?”

Nelson Trial Stakes.— The Nelson Examiner of the 17th inst. says:—The produce entered for the Nelson Trial Stakes, 1863, have been declared, and shows sixteen horses engaged for the race, the seventeenth foal having died. This is the largest entry that has ever been made for this race, and proves that our Produce Stakes are increasing in popularity. The net proceeds of this race will amount to from .£l5O to £l7O, dependent upon the number of horses which may pay forfeit. Of the seventeen foals born, Towton was sire of twelve, two were by Risk, two by Potentate, two by Bay Middleton, and one by Pacific, an English horse imported to Auckland. The Southland Great Northern Rail-way-—The Invercargill Times, of the 27th, gives the following account of the turning of the first sod of the Southland Great Northern Railway: —“ In order that the great event might be duly honoured, nearly all the places of business were closed during the whole of the day, and throughout the town and suburbs a general holiday appeared to be observed. On some of the large stores and premises their owners sported the gayest buntincf nroenvaWo while on the W.-ta o i' »» via uic iai Exchange Buildings in Dee-rtreet a great profusion of flags were displayed. The site selected for turning the first sod of the line was in the Government paddock, at the lower end of Esk-street, and at that point, shortly after noon, a very large assemblage,—a great portion of which were ladies—bad met to witness the ceremony. About half-past 12 o’clock, everything being in readiness, N. Chalmers, Esq., the Deputy Superintendent of the Province took the spade—a highly ornamental piece of workmanship—and in a style that would have passed muster with ‘ navies’ themselves, quickly turned not only the first, but a large number of sods, from the surface, which he dexterously transferred to the barrow—also a handsome article of Provincial manufacture—which he wheeled along the plank to the place of deposit,—the feat being greeted by a succession of hearty cheers from the people around. The example of the Deputy Superintendent having been less cleverly followed by other gentlemen standing by—who had to pay a ‘ footing 5 to the workmen for displaying their energy—Mr. Chalmers formally declared ‘ the first sod of the Great Northern Railway to be turned the brief, but expressive, announcement being received with three enthusiastic cheers. A luncheon and ball completed the inauguration ceremonies.”

Bank of New Zealand. —A special general meeting of the shareholders of the Bank of New Zealand was hold yesterday at noon, at the head office, Queen-street, for the purpose of considering the propriety of confirming the resolution passed at the half-gearly meeting, hold on the 30th Oct. The Secretary read the advertisement convening the meeting, and the minutes of the previous meeting. Mr. T. Bussell begged to move that the resolution published in the newspapers be confirmed by that meeting. It was a Kesolution that the Board had wished for some time to have passed ; but it had been opposed on the ground that it might prejudice Southern shareholders : but they had now had a full expression of opinion on the subject, and as they were unanimous ho moved the confirmation of this Kesolution, viz : “ That the Directors of the Bank hate the power to call up the remainder of the Bank, by calls of £1 per share, at intervals of not less than three months, this resolution not to apply to call already made payable in January, 1864.” Mr. Ehodes seconded the motion, and it was carried unanimously. The meeting then adjourned.— D. S. Cross , Dec. 16. Editors. —Editors, like other shrewd men, must live with their eyes aud ears open. A good story is told of one who started a paper in a western town. The town was infested by gamblers, whose presence was a source of annoyance to the citizens, who told the editor if he did not come out against them they would not patronise his paper. He replied that he would give them a “ smasher” next day. Sure enough his next issue contained the promised “ smasher, and on. the following morning the redoubtable editor, scissors in hand, was seated in his sanctum, whan in walked a largeman, with a club in his hand, who demanded toknow if the editor was in. “ No, sir,” was the rereply, “he has stepped out. Take a seat and read the paper —he will return in a minute.” Down sat the indignant mzn of cards, crossed his£" legs, with his club between them, and commenced reading a paper. In the meantime the editor quietly vamoosed down stairs, and at the landing he met another excited man with a cudgel in his hand, who asked if the editor was in. “ Yes, sir,” was the prompt response, “you’ll find him seated upstairs, reading a newspaper.” The latter, on entering the room, with a furious oath, commenced a violent assault upon the former, which was resisted with equal ferocity. The fight was continued till they had both rolled to the foot of the stairs, and pounded each other to their heart's content.