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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 8, Issue 449, 24 December 1866, Page 2

Public xIoLiDAY’i-. To-morrow and Wednesday will be observed as public holidays ; as also Tuesday, Ist January, ISG7.

Eakthquakb.—Two or three slight shocks of earthquake were distinctly felt at Dunedin ou the atternoon of the 11th iast.

Transmission of Another. Batch of Hau-hau Pkisonj-jisto the Chatham Islands.— On Saturuay evening, about (5 o’clock, another batch of Hau-hau prisoners were despatched in the Colonial G-ovcrnment steamer ‘St. Hilda,’ Captain Johnson, for the Chatham Islands. Their shipment was altogether an exciting scene, far more so than on any previous occasion, owing, as it seemed to us, to the presence of a number of relatives, and more especially to the fact of the intoxication of many of tho Maoris assembled to witness tho embarkation and departure of the exiles. During the process of getting them on board an incident occurred which gave rise to great Clamor and confusion. This was an attempt on tho part of some-of tho prisoners, as we understood, to smuggle away a couple of little children, whom they had already got onboard and secreted in the hold. The gesticulations and shouting which took place on account of the infants were, for a time, something extraordinary ; but it was at length ended by the children being sent on shore to those who were clamoring for them ; and, all the exiles being safely stowed on board, the ‘ St. Hilda ’ steamed with them for their future home. The numbers shipped ou this occasion amounted to 39 in all, viz., 21 men, 12 women, and t> children, in charge of Lieut. Fiumore. We watched their departure with much interest, wishing tho good little steamer a safe and quick passage to her destination, and tho exiles a good and prosperous future amongst their friends who have been previously forwarded to their destined home in the Chatham Islands.

The Panama. Service. —A Telegram received from Hokitika announces the arrival of Mr Crosbie Ward there from Sydney, bringing intelligence that his mission has resulted in a settlement of the agreement between New Zealand and New South Wales to contribute jointly towards the payment of the Panama subsidy. As might have been anticipated, Sydney is to remain the terminus, that point having been conceded long a<>-o, when we first asked its aid. Apart from this, the colonies are to be on an equal footing, and there is a prospect that the service will be further supposed in Australia, as a postal conference will be held at Melbourne in 1 ebruary to arrange the amount of contribution from those places 'which benefit by the service. It is, moreover, satisfactory to find that the Sydney Parliament, despite its recent hostile attitude, has voted the full subsidy of £55,000 for the following as well as the current year. The tenor of previous advices was not very hopeful, mnd the. debates in the New South Wales Assembly were almost hostile in tone, so that we did not expect the next news to be particularly-cheering. Under those circumstances it is very pleasant to find that there is to be no backing out, and that the colony of JS’cw South Wales will perform its pledge thoroughly and loyally.—Wellington Independent, ISth' December.