LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 5, Issue 267, 19 May 1865, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The St. Kilda.— We have been favored by Captain Deck with the following;—The St. Kilda returned yesterday from a cruise to the northward, having his Honor the Superintendent on board. She left Napier on Saturday last at noon, and anchored off Mahia at 9 p.m., where she laid until Monday at noon, when a southerly wind tbreateniag to come on, she weighed and steamed round to Wangawai. The wind, however, continued easterly, and on arriving there found too much sea to land. A large number of natives were assembled on the beach, who expressed their welcome to Mr M‘Lean by a war dance. During the night of Monday it came on to blow hard from N.E., the anchor was again weighed, and the St. Kilda returned to Mahia, where about 200 natives from Wangawai and the district were assembled, who gave a most hearty and cordial welcome to Mr M‘Lean. She left Mahia at 9 a.m. on Wednesday for the Wairoa, but found on arrival there a very high surf rolling on the beach, which prevented the Europeans from landing. Left Wairoa at midnight on Wednesday, and arrived in the Iron Pot at 8 a.m. on. Thursday. From another «ource we have been supplied with the following interesting details; —We sailed from Napier at 12 o’clock on Saturday, the 13th, having on board his Honor the Superintendent, Mr Locke, and several other cabin passengers, beside Taku, a chief of the Mahia, and twelve other natives; We arrived off the Mahia at 9 p.m., the weather being beautifully fine. We remained off Mahia all Sunday, and on Monday morning his Honor went on shora, returning at noon. At this time it commenced to blow hard from the S.E., so the anchor was weighed, and we proceeded to Happy Jack’s for shelter, arriving there about Ip.m. On the 16th, at 4 a.m., the wind suddenly shifting and causing a heavy sea, we weighed anchor and returned to Mahia, where his Honor landed, and remained there till next day. Towards 5 o’clock it again came on to blow from the southward, and we availed ourselves of the services of Mr Campbell (the pilot) to take our vessel to Long Point, .where we anchored, but only for one short half-hour, as the wind again suddenly shifted, Mr Campbell managing the vessel through the night, in the dark tempes-

tuous weather, in a truly admirable manner. On the morning of the 17tb, at B'o'clock, his Honor returned on board with the Maoris, and we proceeded to Wairoa; the wind still continuing. We launched a boat with Mr Locke, but found it quite impossible to land from the tremendous surf breaking on the shore. At 4 p.m., however, two of the Maoris succeeded in effecting a landing, though with considerable danger, as the boat was upset, aud two oars broken. At midnight, there being uo sign of the weather moderating, we steamed for Napier, where we anived on the 18th at 8 a.ra.

The Grass Money AGArN. —-From what we have heard from Puketapu we fear that all the old annoyances from this source are about to be repeated by the Puketapu natives. It seems that, wanting money for some purpose, they are having recourse to their old plan of seizing and impounding the cattle of the settlers. We do trust that the authorities will check this practise in its beginning, and not let our country settlers be imposed upon in this way. We have been promised full particulars of the affair, but from some ca-.se they have not come to baud in time for today’s issue,. The Immigrants per Bebar. —One of the passengers that died on the voyage was Mrs Mason, the wife of Mr J. Mason, late of the Shakespeare Road in this town. The names of the others were—Elizabeth Hollis, aged 2 years ; John Hawkins, aged 2 years ; Michael Roch, aged 3 months. We believe that one of the passengers is still suffering from severe illness. •

Wellington Prize Firing. —The varions companies of Volunteers and Militiamen at Wanganui, are at present busily engaged in firing for the provincial prizes. The highest score yet. made is that of Captain and Adjutant Ross, who scored. 43 yesterday. The highest score on the other side of the river is made by a member of Captain Allison’s company. At Eangitikei the best shooting has been that of Captain Wilicox’s Company which made an average of about 20, the best shot (Sergeant Johnston) scoring 36.—Spectator.

' The Fanatics at the Wairarapa.— We learn from the New Zealand Advertiser of the 11th instant.that Mr Atcheson had returned to Wellington with despatches for the Ministry. The party found that they had arrived at Masterton before the pai marires had crossed the Tawera river. A letter had been received from two of the chiefs of the district by Messrs Ward and Wardell, which threatened hostilities if they were interfered with. The troopers having arrived and being about to proceed onward, were warned of an ambush said to be laid for them; but though they scoured the plain they saw but one Maori riding away from them. He was taken, and said that he was going to persuade the hnu hau to turn back. Not meeting the hau hau the whole party returned to Masterton, and Mr Ward' received a message from the friendly natives requesting him to go to them to have a korero, but he said they must come to him. Accordingly about a dozen soon after arrived, and said they wanted permission for the hau hau to visit them—not to teach or practise their rites, Mr Ward read the Government proclamation to the natives, and he pointed out to them that, although they might not teach the doctrine at Masterton, they had been practising it along their line of road, and bad obtained some one or two converts to their belief. The principal chief (Karaaria) reiterated the assertion that the were coming unarmed, with women and children, and that their intention was not to gain converts or sow dissension amongst the natives! The chief dwelt much on the fact that the Wairarapa natives had always conducted themselves with propriety had always respected the law—that they were most loyal —and that it was very hard that their guarantee for the good conduct of their friends could not be taken by the Government. Three hours’ were spent in the discussion. After hearing all that was to be urged, a consultation was held, and the following conditions were offered to Pai Marires:—l. Not to cross the Ruamahanga on their way to Ngairo’s place ; 2. Not to teach the hau hau doctrines; 3. Not to remain longer than a week. The deputation stated that they should accept the terms because they were beaten, but they considered they were hardly dealt with. Mr Ward remains at Masterton with the purpose, if necessary, , of enforcing the terms of the above conditions. The settlers of the Wairarapa were highly gratified with prompt action taken in this matter by the Government. The first step has been taken in the way of evading the late proclamation, A party of the fanatics are allowed

by the Government agents to visit, on friendly terms, natives supposed to be friendly; and certain rules are laid down and agreed to, altogether contrary to the spirit of that document.

Latest from Hokitika.— The s.s. Albion from Hokitiki, arrived yesterday afternoon having left there on the X Ith iust. at 11 a.m. Ihe news from the diggings is very favorable, new rushes have taken place both north and south of the present diggings. The export of gold from Hokitika, during the last month is stated to amount to above 15,000 ounces. Captain M'Lachlan reports a great glut of all kinds of goods there, great competition, and low prices. The p.s. New Zealand had not arrived up to the time when the Albion left .-—lbid.

; Fiee at the HutT. —About half-past 11 o’clock on Thursday night the inhabitants of this city were aroused from their slumbers by the ringing of the fire-bell, when the fite was discovered to be at Pitone. Captain Lewis Myss, af the I ire Brigade, and about a dozen menbers of the Brigade fell in, and got the Government engine out, but finding it too cumbrous for one horse, left it and procuring a trap proceeded to the scene of the fire but found the house completely consumed, nothing but the chimney standing. Ihe house was the property of Mr Jackson, but was occupied by Mr A. Burr, and was insurred for .£l5O, and the furniture lor £IOO. The fire was caused by the upsetting of a saucepan of fat which was being rendered down at the time, and which set fire to the woodwork round the chimney; in a moment the roof was in a blaze, and it was with the greatest danger Mrs Burr, succeeded in saving her children, being almost suffocated while rescuing the last child. Too much credit cannot be given to Mr Moss and the members of the brigade for their anxiety and zeal to perform their self-imposed duty.— Ibid.