Hawke's Bay Times. THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 1868. THE NEWS FROM AUCKLAND.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume XIII, Issue 569, 16 April 1868, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Times.

THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 1868. THE NEWS FROM AUCKLAND.

Our intelligence from the Northern capital does not comprise any items of great importance; but from the papers to hand we condense the following as of most interest to our readers. A great indignation meeting, for the purpose of expressing public abhorrence of the recent dastardly attempt to assassinate the Duke of Edinburgh, was held in the Brunswick Hall, on Friday, April 10th. The meeting is said to have been the largest ever | hold in Auckland, the building being crowded in every part. The report of the addresses delivered occupies no less than seven closely printed columns of the Herald. It was most remarkable for the enthusiasm and unanimity of the whole proceedings. Special services were also held at the various jchurches throughout Auckland for 'thanksgiving for the providential escape of his Royal Highness. Another event has been a visit- paid by His Excellency the Governor, Sir George Bowen and his lady, to Onehunga, where the vice-regal party was received with demonstrations of loyalty, including a grand triumphal arch of New Zealand vegetation, Childrens Anthems, and a Maori “ Hangi.” An address was presented to Lady Bowen by the ladies of Onehunga, to which her ladyship gave a reply calculated to gain the good-will of all concerned. His Excellency, also, accompanied by Lady Bowen, A. Lempriere, Esq., Private Secretary, Dr. Hector, Mr Swainson, the Rev. J. F. Lloyd, and Mrs Lloyd, paid a visit to Sir George Grey at his island home, the Kawau, returning by the p.s. Sturt on Tuesday, the 7th. The gold fields seem to be progressing steadily, and fast assuming proportions of great importance. Some very- remarkable yields of gold from quartz have been recorded, the most remarkable of which was a yield of 120 oz, from a XOOIba. of quartz. More machinery is wanted. We are glad to be able to publish an interesting letter from our own correspondent in that district, whose statements maybe depended on as worthy of reliance. A melancholy and fatal accident occurred on Wednesday Blh, whereby a person named Edward Malcolm lost his life. It appears that the deceased was a sail-maker, and having finished business for the day, was leaving his work-room, and fell in the darkness down a flight of stairs, breaking his neck, and fracturing the base of the skull. His son, a lad aged 11, who was with him at the time, stayed by the body for an hour, hoping that some one might come to his help, and at | last went home with the sad news. | Medical aid was then obtained, but, j of course, without avail.

The township of Parnell has had a very narrow escape from destruction by fire. On Sunday morning, the sth, the kitchen of a house in the occupation of Mr Edmonds was discovered to be in flames, but by prompt action on his part and that of a neighbour, Sir Copland, it was checked in time. It seems that in front of the fire place there was a trap door through the floor.

below which fuel, consisting .of shav-

ings, ti-tree, &c., was kept; and it Is supposed that a spark had fallen through and set the shavings, &c., in a blaze. The house was situated contiguous to a large block of buildings, which was endangered, as at the time

of the discovery of the fire a strong breeze was blowing tin; flames into the heart of the main building connected

with the kitchen where ic originated.

Two prisoners, named respectively Kelly and Campbell, had effected their escape from Mount Eden Stockade, and though some trace of them had been discovered, they had not been recaptured.

A fire bad taken place at Drury, by which the Great South Road Hotel was destroyed. It was evidently the work of an incendiary, and four men who were near the premises on the occasion were arrested on suspicion, but no conclusive evidence could be brought against them, and they were discharged. Tlie body of a miner was discovered in one of the old shafts on the Karaka gohl-Jields on the morning of the 7th instant. It w-as identified as that of William Mather, better known as Red Bill. An inquest was held on the body the same day, and an open verdict returned. It is probable that the deceased had fallen into the hole, which was one of the many abandoned shafts, and very dangerous. The juryadded a rider to their verdict to the effect that those abandoned shafts should be protected to prevent the sacrifice of life.

At Onehunga a little boy named Bedford, aged nine, fell from his father's horse and w-as dragged for some distance w-ith his head on the ground, sustaining severe injuries. But little hope is entertained of h;s recovery. At the same place a little girl (Margaret MTvenziej had been poisoned by- eating ell’ the combustible mattei trom wax vestas. Her mother was unaware of the poisonous nature of the article, and consequently did not take any steps in time for the saving of the child. The matches were eaten od the Ist inst., and the child was taken ill the same night, vomiting a green matter that smelled of garlic, hut as she had eaten soup containing onions it was not thought of consequence. She was sick again next day, and complained of thirst. The day after this she became paralysed and unconscious; then medical aid was called in, but she fell into convulsions and died on the evening of the otk instant, four days after eating the phosphorus. There seems little doubt that if the mother had known of the poisonous nature of the matches, and administered an emetic, the child’s life might have been saved.

Null ius addict us jurare in verba mar/iatri.