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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 13, Issue 686, 27 May 1869, Page 3

It is estimated that every fourth house in Hokitika is untenanted, and that there ure over three hundred cottages which have not had an occupant for months. An extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders of the New Zealand Steam Navigation Company, is announced to take place at the Athenaeum on Wednesday, the 2nd of June, at which the following resolution will be proposed, " that the company may with the sanction of the company previously given at a general meeting, reduce its capital." A further offer from the Circular Saw Company* to purchase, will be considered. A Shhewd Child.—There was an incident in Launceston on Saturday evening worth noting, as showing shrewdness on the part of child. The " Punch bowl," a romantic part of the bush to the east of the town, is an object to youngsters who like to see the perpondicular hangiug rocks thero and the waters flowing over them. On Saturday afternoon a small party went out to this favorite spot, spent some time,, and then wended their way homewards. In the party and accompanying his sisters* was a little boy of the name of .Ryan, some six years of age he had never been to the •' bowl" before. When close to the town, but not till then, Master Ryan was missed. What had become of him. .Back ran hia. sisters, but no brother was to ba found. The sun had set. The sisters, in great excitement, came into Launceston. No sooner was it known that a boy was missing than volunteers offered, and the bush was forthwith searched. Approaching the place where the little fellow was last seen (it was now dark but the moon was up,) hia name was frequently called when at last there was the response, " Here I am." His little bed he had prepared, and getting tired had said his prayers, and was about to lie down, He.had not moved from the place where he found himself separated from his sisters, giving as his reason ha thought " some one would come for him. It would be well that other youngsters should have this little tale repeated to them, and the cause of the happy results explained to them.—Australasian,