LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume V, Issue 209, 4 January 1865, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Band op Hope Festival.— The heavy and con. tinuous rains which caused the postponement of this festival from Monday, the 26th ult., to the 2nd inst. having abated for some days, it was held in Qreenmeadows on the above day. Not having received any report from the conductor of the affair up to the time of our going to press, we are unable to give full particulars as to the numbers present, &c, but, judging from the deserted appearance of the town, we conclude that the number must have been a very largo one. Treat at Father Reignikk’s.— The children connected with the Roman Catholic schools of the district met on Monday at the residence of the above gentleman, for the enjoyment of their annual treat. We believe the meeting passed off well, having afforded pleasure and satisfaction to a considerable number of our rising generation. \V a!pavtamate. — The members of the Colonial Defence Force now stationed at Waipawamate gave a ball on Thursday evening, the 29th hist, which was well attended by the ladies and gentlemen of the surrounding district, and the affair proved the best that has yet been got in this part. The Force deserve great credit for the manner in which it was conducted.— Herald.

The Champion Meeting of 1865.—Preparations for this event are notv begining to be rapidly made. And we are commencing to feel some of that, excitement naturally incidental to the greatest meeting hitherto held in New Zealand. One great drawback is, however, felt, from the fact that no horses are coming from Australia. It is a fact that Tarragon will not be down, as he goes for other events in Melbourne; so the struggle lies betjveen the islands of New Zealand. The Lyttelton J-itnes.. Dec. 20. says:—On-FriJay last the Phoebe brought two fresh arrivals for our Champion Face, in the shape of Nourmahal and Storm Bird. Mr. Noble brought them over under his personal supervision and they bore good testimony to the usual care and attention bestowed by Captain Wheeler and his officers on all stock commit ted to their charge. New Zealand Exhibition.—Mr. J. S. Webb has been appointed by the Royal Commissioners tor the New Zealand -Exhibition, to bo employed by exhibitors, at their own cost and risk, in impacking, putting together and arranging their exlubjts, when they are unable to do so by themselves or their agent.

The otago hiBKL Osajs. —air. McCom be, against whom the Grand Jury at Otago the other day ignored a bill for libel, entered an action in the Supreme Court against Mr. R. B. Marten, of Dunedin, for having assaulted him in the Princess’ Theatre. The damages were laid at £I,OOO. The ease was heard before a special jury. After hearing a great deal of evidence, the jury found:— ‘ 1. That the defendant committed an assault; Z. That the Princess Theatre was at the time a close of M ilSiam Ljster: 3. That the defendant did not. as servant of Lyster, gently, &c., remove the plain* tifF; 4. That the plaintiff was in the close with Lyster’s leave and license; 5. That the plaintiff did not first assault the defendant; 6. That the plaintiff was entitled to damages, to the amount of one farthing. The Late Meteor.— The following letter has been addressed to the editor of the Canterbury Press by a Mr. John D’Enys : —!Sir, —l sec in your paper of the 17th, extracted from the, Wanganui Chronicle of the 7th, an account of a magnificent meteor. It may interesting to many to know that when eel fishing to tiie west of Mount Torleaseon the same night, and at the same lime, or nearly (as w-atches do not always keep the same time—nine may hare been wrong), 1 sav a meteor fall, ,ap-‘ parently into the river-bed of the Waimakariri. It was very large, but not up to what the Wanganui Chronicle describes. It fell in a northerly direction, but no sound was heard aecornpaniug it. Bat of Islands Coal.— The New Zealand Herald of the 17th instant says:—“ We have been informed, from the most reliable authority, that the Kawa Kawa coal proves itself of the first quality for steam purposes. H.M.S.S. ‘Falcon’ look .a cruise down the Gulf yesterday morning for the purpose of testing some 30 tons of this coal, and it has been pronounced by them to be equal, if not superior, to any Australian coal for steam p’urposes.

At Tuesday morning's parade, Drummer Dudley Stagepoole, 57th regiment, now with the Wanganui Militia, was presented with a medal for distinguished bravery in the field. The act of bravery, for which he is to get the Victoria Cro«s was carrying off' a mortally wounded comrade’ under a heavy fire in one of the engagements at Taranaki.— Wanganui Chronicle. Wool.— There is a large quantity of wool in port, awaiting for shipment ; but there is no vessel ready to receive it. Wool is now behn* sent by steamers to Lyttelton, for transhipment into the vessels loading in that port for London* The Otago took 20f> bales, to be transhipped into the Parisian ; and the Kangatira also takes wool for the same port. A large portion of this season’s clip lias not yet reached Wellington ; but is ready for shipment as soon as an opportunity offers.— Wel liny ton Independent. Ivvi< i’HQU.v u k at .Nklsox. —The Kelson Colonist Dec. 28, says.— “A slight shock of an earthquake was experienced here about half-past three o’clock on Saturday morning (December 17). The motion proceeded as in the ease of that felt in V ehruarv last, from W.S.W. to K.N.E., there being three gentle vibrations in that direction and apparently to re in (lie opposite direction, at least such was the feeling within a building. The night was sultry and warm.” 41

Lacthquake at Oxago. —3 he following letter has been addressed to the editor of the Otago Times, under date Deo. 17 -.—“Sir,—lt may be inforesting, to some of jour readers to learn “that a shock of an earthquake was distinctly felt, both bv myself and several friends in this town, yesterday, ihe time was about 12 o’clock noon. Wainct-o-Maxa.— Among the now rather numerous embryo townships of this province, this is by no means the least interesting or of smallest promise. Situated about 18 miles from Wellington, and nine miles from the llutt, awav over one of the most romantic mountain roads of this island, winds the valley of the Wainui, now rapidly opening to view a chain of grassy meadows, sleeked with weil favored kine and a goodiv number of settlers’ houses, well inhabited hv healthy children of all ages. For seven years past the methodist preachers have given their accustomed services on the Sabbath day to people disposed to assemble tor divine worship, and among the foremost of these pioneers, was Mr, D. McHardie, now soon to leave the district for a more convenient homestead near to Wanganui. Monday last was the anniversary of the little chapel at Wainui, and ministers and friends came to meet the Wainui people as they had been, invited to do. An ample tea was served up at the early hour of three, and about 100 persons enjoyed the repast.— Wellington Independent Dee. 29.

Boxing Dat.—Yesterday being Boxing Day was kept as a general holiday, and nearly all the towspcople sought to amuse themselves in the manner most in accordance with their respective tastes. Large numbers patronized the excursion tnp got up under the auspices of the Odd Fellows’ Society, while others proceeded to Poriatia to witness the tmf sports announced to come off-there, and innumerable private picnic and fishing parties were got up. Tiie weather was most auspicious for any sort of amusement, and right well did most of the pleasure-seekers enjoy themselves. Ihe first trip of the ss. Lady Bird was fixed for 8 a.m., and shortly after that hour she was literally crammed with excursionists bound for York Bay, but unfortunately in consequence of the vessel grounding in endeavoring to leave the inner T of the \V barf it was past 10 o'clock before she started with her living freight. By this time the Wharf was crowded with persons in anticipation of the 11 o clock trip, and as the s.s. Storm Bird'was about leaving for Nghauranga with'a, private party of tiie elite of Wellington, it was arranged that she should take a portion of the waiting multitude, and proceed to York' Bay after landing the party by which she was chartered. The Lady Bird returned to.ihe Wharf for the second trip shortly after noon, and took away with her again another load ot excursionists. She returned again and made another trip, arriving alongside the Wharf with the last batch about 9 o'clock. The ground selected at York Bay was excellently adapted for the purposes ot an excursion, and what with such games as “kiss-in-the-ring,” dancing, Ac., Ac., the time appeared to pass pleasantly away, and all seemed to regret the arrival of the hour when it was time to depart. At Forirua the races went off very well, but we must defer our report until our next—Wellington Advertiser.

Doing the Customs. —We notice that our InyercargiU mercantile friends have been able to overreach the Collector of Customs there. Asiin«sr attempt was made to genii' early intelligence to Wanganui, but the messenger got drunk on the road, and thus frustrated the scheme. By a paragraph in the Southland 'Times, we are informed that some merchants having received early intelligence of the additional duties impose,! bv the Ge neral Assembly, tork advantage of the news, and Cleared goods from bond ai the old fate, the duty on which amounted to £15699 Os Id. On brandy alone, £3244 10s was paid, representing 7200 gai-

Rrawt’s Escape prom: the Oraeiu Pa during THE Engagement. — We are indebted to a correspondent for the following account of this esca <e, ■which caused so much su j r se:—“Tt rnav r e . membered in the engagement at Orakau, it was reported that Rewi was among the si sin, time has shown he was not, although he had a verv narrow escape. Rewi Maniapoto was in the Pa during the engagement, his tribe Ngatimaniapoto finding there was very little hope for their sscape, asked Rewi to leave, to which he replied, ‘ What are we figl>_t we must.’ He was at last persuaded. Rewi with five others took the first chance, to make their escape, and during a heavy mass of smoke they succeeded, leaving one of their number behind, the names of his companions are as follows: —Rawcti, who was wounded in the right arm, Hoami was killed, Te Wakatapu Te Roera, Te Rarawharitua, and Arapata, with Rewi, escaped with their lives ; it is also stated by Rewi, t hat he was addressed by a white man as he whs escaping, finding he was known he turned round and shot him, although he had known him for some years past. Rewi with other Waikato natives are now between Waitotara and Taranaki, nearer to Waitotarathan Taranaki; it is said that the Wa’kato’s are greatly disgusted, not so much for the great loss they have suffered, but from having so many of them nsade prisoners, this is a very galling matter considering their people are looked upon as being XTereheres, or in other words are hered or tied with ropes. It is reported by natives that it u the intention of the Waikatos to disturb the natives of this part that they may arise and some of | 6l u- taken prisoners, and then the natives or this part cannot laugh at Waikato. —Hew Zealand Advertiser.

“We are informed,” snys the Queen, “that tho Kojal Marriage Act lias become most oppressive to a certain member of the royal family—a lady en^t ' are£ l herself to the hearts of the British (nation as much by the frankness of her na»»««nd tho kindness of her heart as by her remarkable and peculiarly Saxon personal charms Xhis lady (so it is stated) is now sought in wedlock pJ a gallant young soldier of noble birth, and she not to hare frowned upon his suit. The consent of Her Majesty is alone required to make the couple snpremely happy ; but that consent is for the moment withheld. Let us hope, continues our contemporary, that Her Majesty will see that the chances are so remote as to ren- ** a | mes t impossible that the wished-for union should in any way aflect the succession to the Crown ; and that by giving her consent she will make two people supremely happy, without in any way derogating from the dig pity of her sovereign State.” [lt is scarcely necessary to add that the tfoyal lady alluded to is the Princess Mary of Cambridge. The young nobleman is Lord Hood.]