Untitled

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 13, Issue 671, 8 April 1869, Page 2

Earthquake, —A slight tremor of the earth was felt in Napier at about 20 minutes to 7 o’clock this morning; apparent direction, N.W. to S.E.

Taupo. —We have later news from the Taupo district, and are glad to be able to report it as of a more satisfactory character. Te Kooti is said to have retreated to the Uriwera country, and we shall probably hear little of his movements for some time to come. We hear that Capt. St. George has returned to his station, and that Mr Cox’s _ manager has likewise returned with a few hands to Rananga, where they are now shearing. Mr Helyer is also at his place packing wool. Return of the Ahuriri Natives. —The whole of the Ahuriri natives returned on Saturday and Monday last. It seems that they did not proceed furthei than Waipurati, some ten miles beyond the Mohaka River. There appeared to be a desire on the part of the Taupo friendlies to have the Hawke’s Bay natives near at hand, so as to aid them in opposing Te Kooti in case he should attempt to cross the plains. On the Go\ eminent becoming aware of tliis, steps wore at once taken 1 o forward supplies of provisions and ammunition to the Ahuriri natives who were away under Paora Kaiwhatu. Captain Tanner undertook the work of conveying the supplies, but he met them on their way back, accompanied by Mr Hamlin. From the fact of their returning we may reasonably conclude that they saw no immediate danger in that direction. On Paora Kaiwhatu being told that supplies were on their way to him, he replied that he was returning in consequence of instructions received from Tareha.

Mohaka. —A mounted trooper is now stationed between Mr Lav in’s station at Mohaka, and Petane, for the purpose of patrolling and gaining any information of possible hostile movements. His instructions are to receive orders from Ensign Lavin. Customs Prosecution. — On Monday last two cases were heard in the Resident Magistrate’s Court on the information of J. M. Tabuteau, Esq., Deputy Commissioner of Customs at Napier. John Barry was charged with having in his possession 671bs of unaccustomed tobacco, contrary to the Customs Regulation Act, and James Topping was charged with the same offence, the amount of tobacco being 601hs. Mr Lee appeared for the defence in both cases. It appears from the evidence that the tobacco was a portion of the stores of the Ida Zeigler which had been washed ashore, and had been sold to defendants by a man named James Evans. In Barry’s case there had been no concealment of the matter, and on being interrogated by the Customs authorities, he had stated that it had never occurred to him that the tobacco was smuggled. Mr Topping, on the contrary, had denied having the tobacco in his possession j and it was found concealed in his house- Taking these circumstances into consideration, the Bench inflicted on Barry the mitigated penalty of £8 15s 10Jd, one fourth the treble value of the tobacco ; and on Topping the full penalty of £3l 10s, three times the value of the goods. Evans, who sold them the tobacco, was summoned for the following day, but did not make his appearance, and a warrant was ac oordingly issued for his apprehension. We understand that he has since been arrested, and that the case will be heard this morning.