General News of the Month.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 8, Issue 402, 13 August 1866, Page 5

General News of the Month.

The local events of the month have been “ few and £ar between.” Such, however, as are of any interest, will bo found below:— The English and Australian Mails were delivered at Napier on the evening of Wednesday, 25th July. On the afternoon of Tuesday, 17th July, the body of a man was found under a cliff on the Taipo road, near Redcliffe. At the time of being found, he was alive, but insensible. He was put into a cart and conveyed to town ; but he expired before the cart reached Napier. An inquest was held on the body on the 19th ult., when the jury returned an open verdict. It appeared from the evidence that the deceased, whose name was Thomas Vance, a new comer in the province, was intoxicated at the time he met with the accident which afterwards resulted in his death; so that this is another name to be added to the alarmingly formidable list of those who have fallen victims to the fiery god in this province. A public meeting, in accordance with advertisement in the c Hawke’s Bay Times,’ was held at 8 o’clock on the evening of Friday, 27th July, in Mr Haswell’s school-room, -the Rev. P, Barclay in the chair. The object of the meeting was to consider the advisability of taking steps to form an Auxiliary Society to the New Zealand Temperance League. After much desultory conversation, the following resolution was put and carried, viz.'“ That while sympathising with the movement inaugurated in Auckland and Can. terbury, this meeting does not consider the Pro. vince of Hawke’s Bay to be in a position to form an Auxiliary Society to co-operate with them at present." Three slight shocks of earthquakes have been felt in this town during the month—two on the night of Sunday, 29th July, and one on the night of Sunday, sth July. They were all too slight to do any damage. The usual half-yearly sittings of the Supreme Court commenced on Saturday, 4th August. A report of the proceedings will be found elsewhere. A public meeting, in accordance with advertisement in the ‘ Hawke’s Bat Times,’ took place in Mr Haswell’s school-room, Napier, on the evening of Thursday, 2nd August, for the purpose of forming a Hawke’s Bay Total Abstinence Society, which laudable object was achieved, —a committee and office bearers having been elected j and the declaration known as the American pledge, adopted as the basis of membership. The Theatre Boyal has been well patronised during the past month. Some of the most difficult plays of the immortal Bard of Avon have been produced with telling effect. Influenza has been very prevalant throughout the province during the moilth. Almost every one has been more or less affected by the epidemic. The weather has been very unsettled during the month. On the night of Thursday, Bth August there was a very heavy fall of rain—one of the heaviest, perhaps, that has fallen this year, An accident which might have been attended with serious consequences took place on Monday, 6th August, on the White-road, to a Maori named Manama. It would appear, from what we can gather, that this “gentleman ” had been drinking at the Shamrock Hotel (about three miles from Napier) on the day in question, in which he was ably assisted by some half-dozen of his noble countrymen j and that when they left to ride into town, he (being probably more “ glorious ” than the rest) galloped a-head, and, just as he got on the White-road, came to grief—big horse having stumbled, through which the inebriated rider fell heavily to the ground. There he lay in a state of insensibility for some time ; and some persons who were passing thought he was dead. He, however, shortly afterwards “came to,” and is now, we hear, in town. This is another sad proof of the urgent necessity that exists for enforcing the law which prohibits Europeans from supplying alcoholic liquors to persons of the Native race. Two wrecks of vessels belonging to this port have taken place during the month. Full particulars of these will be found in our shipping summary columns. There were no cases before His Honor Mr Justice Johnston on Thursday, 9th inst., when he took his seat in the insolvency jurisdiction of the court, —a most satisfactory state of things, and ■upon the existence of which His Honor did not fail to congratulate the public of this province. As a satisfactory proof that Napier is steadily advancing, we may mention that efforts are being made to erect a small Church of England on the Eastern Spit, Napier. Subscription lists have for some time been opened, and a pretty good sum has already been obtained. Wo trust, in our next monthly summary, to be iu a position to announce the pleasing intelligence that the carpenters are hard at work at the new building.

It is intimated that the West Clive Suburban Block, formerly called the Hikutoto Block, advertised to be sold by auction on Wednesday, 29th August, is withdrawn from sale until further notice. A Land and Building baa been set on foot in this town since the date of our last summary. About 150 shares have already been taken up; and the new Society bids fair to be a success, which we trust it will. A man named Charles Claridge was, on Wednesday, Bth August, thrown from his horse on the beach between the White-road and Tareha’sßridge and severely injured. We are happy to say, however, that the sufferer was promptly attended to by Dr Thorpe, and is now in a fair way of recovsry. The cause of the accident is ascribed to Maori having frightened Claridge’s horse.