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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 161, 12 February 1864, Page 3

Comstandee Feancis William Sullivan, in consideration of the valuable assistance rendered by him during the recent successful operations of her Majesty s troops in New Zealand, as recorded in the London Gazette of the 27th October, has been promoted to the rank |of Captain.— Home News. Colonel Wabee, of the 57th Regiment, has been placed on the New Zealand Staff temporarily as colonel on the staff. He is a very accomplished officer, and we have no doubt that General Cameron will find in him a most efficient assistant. Colonel Warre’s appointment will not occasion his removal from his regiment.— Army Sr Navy Gazette. a Robert Hales, known as the Norfolk giant, died of consumption at Great Yarmouth on November 22. Hales was born at West Somerton a village a few miles from Yarmouth, in 1820* and was therefore only 43 years of age. He came of a family remarkable for their great stature, his father being 6 feet 6 inches in height, and his mother 6 feet. An ancestor of his mother’s was said to have been that famous warder of bluff Kim* Hal, who stood 8 feet 4 inches in height. Of such Patagonian parents the progeny were worthy • the boys were “ sons of Anak,” averaging 6 feet 5 inches each, and the girls, of Amazonian development, averaging 6 feet 34 inches each. Robert was the flower of the flock, and stood 7 feet 6 inches, weighing 4521b5. One of his sisters, with whom he exhibited some years ago, was 7 feet 2 inches, but she died in 1842, being then only 20 years af age. Hales was stout in proportion to Ins height, though somewhat clumsily put together. When in his prime he was 64 inches round the chest, 62 round tne waist, 86 across the shoulders, and 21 round the calf of the leg.— Home News. On the two thousand pound match between Xing and Heenan, the latest betting was six to four on Heenan. Teoops, &c. eoe New Zealand.— The sailing troop-ship Empress, belonging to Messrs. Houlder Brothers, taken up by the War Department for the transport of the 4th battalion Military Train to Auckland, New Zealand, sailed from Woolwich pier on the Bth November, in tow of a couple oi steam-stugs as far as the Nore. The ship’s hold was stowed well up with war stores of every description, consisting of guns, trenching tools, tents, forage, hospital comforts, and an immense number of cases filled with saddlery harness &c., amounting to 100 tons measurement, and 100 tons of powder and ammunition in her magazines. A large number of sheep, pigs and poultry were shipped for the voyage, and a patent distilhng-apparatus will supply 550 gallons of fresh water per day. The married officers, and a proportionate number of the men, are accompanied by their wives and families. She also embarked the pioneer party of emigrants, belonging to the Church of Emigration Society, going out to found their new special settlement on the fine block of land alloted to them by the Auckland Provincial Government. The 2nd battalion 12th Regiment, when placed under orders for service^ at New Zealand, was raised to 950 rank and file. Every available man was drafted from the depot, at Chatham garrison, to the service companies at Limerick. A fine spirit characterizes thisnoble body of soldiers. Her Majesty’s 43d Light Infantry is now en route from Calcutta to New Zealand, per the Lady Jocelyn. The regiment consists of about 700 effectives, including officers, non-commissioned officers, and men. For some weeks past the greatest activity has been manifested at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich in the preparation and shipment of shot, sheik and other munitions of war for New Zealand. The quantity under orders is very large. The Ordinance Select Committee have concluded a series of experiments to test the value of Colonel Boxer’s fuses. The result is moat satisfactory. Two thousand have been constructed for service with the Armstrong guns in New Zealand.—New Zealand Examiner, Nov. 17.