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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume XIII, Issue 567, 6 April 1868, Page 3

Native Lands Act. —John Knowles, Esq., of Wellington, has been appointed a surveyor under the above act. Legislative Council. —His Excellency the Governor has, in her Majesty’s name, . summoned the bon. William Spence Peter, of Ashburton, in the Province of Canterbury, to the Legislative Council of New Zealand, by writ of summons under the seal of the Colony. Interesting Relic. —One of the oldest relics of Chaldcean art has been recently acquired by the British Museum. This is the signet cylinder of Ilgi, who reigned over Lower Chaldeea about 2,050 bc. Those who take an interest in Oriental antiquities will bo glad to hear that so ancient a record has been added to the national collection.

Robbery at Wairarapa. —On Friday last Constable Butler, of the Wairarapa, apprehended a man on the charge of robbery. The prisoner happened to be the only passenger by the opposition coach yesterday. Immediately on his arrival he commenced his work by taking money from the till of the Volunteer Hotel. The landlord, missing his money, gave immediate information, and in a very short time afterwards he was in custody. On being searched the money was found on him, as well as a large pointed knife. He was then locked up, although he protested that he was a Fenian, and had the greatest contempt for the law.—Evening Post, 28th March.

■Native Outrages at Patka. —The correspondent of the Wanganui Times writes as follows, uuder date 24th March ;—“ Disturbances are now of almost daily occurrence here. At settler named Bayley, residing on his own purchased land, a short distance from Kakaramea, was ordered olf by a native. He ref«sed to go. Bayley had brought down some timber for building purposes. Two days ago the Maori, with some others, returned, chopped up and destroyed the whole of his timber, and again ordered him off. Minor outrages are of daily occurrence.” The Times adds : —“ Since the above came to hand, we have heard, on reliable authority, that on Tuesday last about twenty sheep were speared by natives on the Waitotara. Mr Booth should now do his duty firmly and impartially as Resident Magistrate, and notwithstanding the manner in which Colonel M'Donneli has been treated, we have no doubt he will see the decisions of the Magistrate carried out, and not allow the action taken by Mr Farris to prevent settlements in those fine districts.”

Fenianism at Westpoet.— The Westport Evening Star, the 25th alt, says:— “ The following report of a meeting of the Celtic Committee, held at Addison’s Flat yesterday evening, has been handed to us by Mr Duffy, Secretary to the Committee ; —The Celtic Commiittee met at the Roval TT-A-t l|-_ m 4.1. . i r, J AAuici. mr wouo m nit; camr. jrrcseiu —Dr Domvan, Messrs O’Connell, Dillon, Broderick, Gallagher, and Duffy. Dr Donivan proposed, and Mr O’Connell seconded the following resolution, which was unanimously carried: —* That in the opinion of this meeting, if the Government does authorise the removing of the cross from the Hokitika Cemetery, that we, the Celtic race of Addison’s flat, do take it as tantamount to throwing down the gauntlet of defiance; and we on the other hand do hereby guarantee to accept that same acknowledgment of defiance, and maintain to the best of our ability that same cross in its original position.’ A second resolution, to the effect—* That the business of the meeting should be forwarded to the local paper for publication,’ was also agreed to.”