LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 5, Issue 264, 12 May 1865, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

ARRIVAL OF the Egmont. —The S.S. EgWont left Munukati on the 3rd Instant at 1*45 p.m, ; had light winds till near midnight, when the wind increased to a gale with heavy rain, and the engines were stopped from 4 a.in. till daylight; made Taranaki at 8, and discharged passengers and mails only in the Taranaki life-boat; at 130 proceeded on her Way to Nelson, and experienced another gale with heavy rain, during which she stopped her engines lor four hours ; proceeded at daylight, the slh, and arrived at Nelson at lO'SO; left Nelson on the oth at 5T5 p.ni., and experienced strong gales with high sea in crossing the Straits from Picton ; arrived in Wellington on the 7th at 10 30 ; left Wellington for Napier with English mail on board on the 9th at noon ; had light winds and heavy sea, and arrived at 2 30 p.m. on the 10th; she left for Auckland yesterday at 2 p.m. General Synod at Canterbury' members of this body, lay and clerical, still meet daily, and have had some hot and bitter discussions, in winch the Rev J, Wilson was conspicuous. He remarked that the Canterbury diocese had fallen into a trap, and that it 'Was insulting to suppose that it would riegodate with its hands tied. The Eight Rev. Chairman, tile Ver, Archdeacon of Waikato, and the Bishop of Wellington, each became involved in the stormy .debate, which was continued to a late hour. The more recent‘meetings have shown the manifestation of a more conciliatory spirit on the part of the rev. gentlemen. ..The Meeting of Natives.— We briefly referred to this meeting in oar las', and will endeavor to give a brief outline of the proceedings. The meeting of Monday was of a preliminary character, calculated to open the hearts of the various chiefs assembled through the medium of the stomach. This is front all experience found to be best, or at least, the most approved plait. The Council Chamber was well filled by the largest gathering of native chiefs ever seen in Napier. A , Capital dinner was provided, and .speedily demolished; nor was there any deficiency in

the supply of drink or its consumption, which latter seemed to contribute at least as much enjoyment and gratification to the dark skin guests as did the kai kai. As .a matter of policy we presume the natives were not expected to speak at this meeting, hut merely to enjoy the food and hear an address. from the Superintendent, who said that lie was glad to see them—not only to see so many representatives from so many tribes meeting in ; iMwer*, but to see that, while they met each other iu this cordilil manner (which they had not Had such an opportunity; of doing for 'many years), they aMlie same time met their while friends, so that both races met at the same table in peace and good feeling. He should see them again to-morrow, when there would be more time for them to express their sentiments. Accordingly the meeting was resumed on the next day in front of the Civil Commissioner's office, the weather being remarkably fine and suitablefor the pnrpose. We have been disappointed in our expectations of procuring a report of what was said by them, but believe that after all their appearance of warmth it was nothing of moment. After they had their say they again adjourned to the ehmnber and enjoyed another feast. This being brought to an end, Mr. M’Lean said that he was very glad to see them meet with each other and their pakeha friends, as much ill feeling had arisen from unf miuled suspicions <m both sides, and a want of sufficient knowledge of each other. When the chiefs went to their respective homes, it would be well if they used their best abilities to promote the cause of peace and good order. There would be many occasions, be hoped, when they would have the opportunity of meeting again. He was very glad to see so many chiefs assembled. The more the races knew of each other, the more they would respect each other. When they went away, the good wishes of himself and the pakehas generally would go with them. The chiefs, acknowledged the kindness with which they had been received, and expressed their determination to assist in putting down the evil now existing in New Zealand. It was only, they said, at meetings like ibis that the minds of both races could be ascertained,-and that unfounded jealousies and suspicions could be dispelled. They also exhorted each other to make a determined stand against the encroachment of fanaticism, and to unite With the Europeons in carrying out measures in accordance with just and equal laws. After all, the apparent sincerity displayed by the Maoris, and perhaps felt by them under the circumstances, we do not feel that any great point is gained. Feelings “ got up” by occasions like the above are proverbially ephemeral, and though Ilirini, who commands the largest number of men on the East Coast, was present, and professed his loyalty, those who have noted the fascinating powers ef the ban-hau over the susceptible mind, of the native will see how little dependence can be placed on them. Besides, the chiefs Paora, of Mohaku, Tareha, and Hapuku with others well known to be disaffected, were absent. Meetings such as these may stave off tor a time, but we fear will be powerless to avert the evils that threaten Hawke’s Bay.

Departure of the Native Chiefs.— The s.s. St. Kiida left-the - port on Wednesday afternoon, conveying the natives who hud attended the meeting hack to their homes on the Wairoa, Poverty Bay, and West Coast.

Heavy Bains at Otago.— The Times of the 2nd insl contains the full particulars of the damage which' has been caused by the heavy |rain which fell * on the previous Saturday and Sunday. A , list of the property which ha i been destroyed •-proves- that the damage was not confined to any particular portion of the city.' The following account of the storm is by Dr. Hector and will be read with much interest. He states; —“ The storm commenced on Friday night at 10 p.m., when the wind, which had been blowing from NJ3, suddenly changed to S.W, accompanied by squalls and showers of rain. This weather continued throughout Saturday. but early on Sunday morning the rain commenced to fall steadily, and in 24 hours previous to 9 a.m. on Monday morning, the rainfall reached the extraordinary amount, of 4 06 inches. A rainfall equal to this in 24 hours has only been once recorded in this Province daring the last three years, the same amount having fallen at Dias Cove, Thomson's Sound, on the West Coast, on 25th July, 18G8. The greatest fallot rain that lias ever been -recorded at the Dunedin Observatory. on any previous occasion, was D 25 inches, on 9th January, 1864, The total rainfall, during the storm, from Friday night up to Monday morning, is within a fraction of 5 inches. It is remarkable that no indication of this storm was afforded by

flie barometer, which had steadily maintained its usual average, the extent of fluctuation having only been from HOOOo to 30 009 inches. The wind, /; though blowing in very heavy gusts, had nof a higher average 1 velocity than 20 miles per liour. : And the total progress of the storuktowarTls tin* N.E, since the change took place on Friday night up to Monday morning, was about 800 miles. Closing of the Exhibition.— The Times of the_oth instant says:>—-Satujfday,..the (kb. May is appointed fur the formal closing of the New Zealand Exhibition. The ceremony Will Commence at 2 o’clock in the afternoon, and the closing address by iiis Honor the Superintendent will take place at 4 o’clock. It is understood that the Commissioners have succeeded in securing the valuable assistance of the Philharmonic Society for the occasion. The Kawau Prisoners— -TheN.Z. Herald of the 2nd says:—Although it is now seven or eight months siuce the gentlemen of the Waikato gave the go-bye to his Excellency, we still have something to relate concerning them. Our readers are, perhaps, not aware that some foity of them have been staving for some months past as honored guests amongst the loyal natives of Kaipara. Durtho last few days forty of these “ hereheres,” as they are called by theother natives, made up their minds to surrender, and gave up eighteen guns, with powder and cartridges, to Manukuu ami Pairama, Uriahon chiefs, of the Ngaliwhafua. We may mention by the way that the guns and ammunition they now place in the hands of the two above-mentioned chiefs were lent to them by the same when they came into that part from the Tamahanga pa at Matakana. The forty rebels will visit Auckland, we understand, on their road to Waikato.