Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1869.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 14, Issue 748, 30 December 1869, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1869.

A Volunteer Ball came off in the Oddfellow's Hall on Tuesday night, but we have not received any particulars. Picnic.—As will he seen by ad vertisement, a grand picnic is announced for Saturday next (New Year's Day), at Taradale, in aid of the Napier Brass Band Fund. We hope to see a good attendance.

Caledonian Games. —New Year's Day, we observe by advertisement, will be celebrated on the Eastern Spit by a series of Caledonian sports, &c. ? which will, no doubt, be weil attended. Cricket.—We learn that efforts are being made to get up a cricket match between an equal number of Napier and Meanee men, to be played at Taradale on New Year's Day,—the losing side to pay for a dinner.

Napier Garrick Club.—All interested are reminded that a peiforinaiice of the above club will take place on New Year's Eve (to-morrow evening), on which occasion Mr Tom Kemp, scenic artist, will take his benefit. A very attractive programme is announced, and we trust to see a full house. The New Zealand Gazette contains a notification dated Ist December, authorising the Quartermaster Colonial Forces, Napier, to frank free from pre-payment of post age, letters and packets sent by him through the Post on the Public Service.

Monday last was celebrated on the Spit by the athletic and other spoits usual on such occasions,—racing in sacks, blindfold wheelbarrow race, foot-races, vaulting with a pole, climbing greasy pole, &c, as well as a game borrowed, we believe, from the Maoris. The greasy pole was taken to the wharf and made fast by jthe large end, the rest projecting over deep water, and a pound note placed at the end as a reward to the one who should walk to it. A boat was in attendance to pick up those who fell into the water. Many competitors in endeavoiing to reach the note lost their balance and got a good bath. The prize was,at last won, after several duckings, by a, half-caste.

Provincial Acts. Hew Zealand Gazette, 10th December, notifies that the following Acts of the Province of Hawke's Bay have been assented to by the Governor:— 1,-The Executive Act, 1869; 2,The Cattle Trespass Act, 1869; 3,The Napier Common School Site Act, 1869; 4,-The Appropriation Act, 1869, No. 2 ; 5,-The Ratification of Loan Expenditure Act, 1869.

Accident.—An accident occurred on Monday night last, which might easily have been attended with fatal consequences. Early on the morning of Tuesday, Mr Miller, of the Napier Jail, found Mrs Searles lying on the beach at the bottom of an embankment near the Immigration Barracks, with one of her legs broken, and her face and one of her arms much cut and bruised by the rough stones at the bottom. Mrs Searles had been living for some time at the Immigration Barracks, and persisted in leaving the place at midnight on Monday, though the other residents told her she was not in a fit state to take rare of herself. Nothing more was seen of her until Mr Miller found her as described. Surgical aid was obtained, and the broken limb having been set, she is now in a fair way of recovery. School Treats—Monday last, 27th Dec, will long be remembered by the children of the various Sunday Schools and of the Band of Hope in this town, as a day of rare enjoy ment. Preparations on an unusually large scale had been made for the annual treat, in which the combined schools of Napier, Olive, Havelock, and the Big Bush were to join,—Mr Gifford ha\ing kindly lent his large paddock at Waitangi for the purpose. On the morning of Monday the weather was anxiously studied by those interested, and proved to be all that could be desired. At 8 a.m. the children began to muster in great force, and although a large number of carts had been engaged, it was a matter of difficulty lo find accommodation for the whole. One by one the carts left the town, each gay with many-colored flags, and before long the whole party ar-l rived safely at the paddock provided for their reception, where the children of the country schools, drawn up to receive them, welcomed them with three hearty cheers. After prayer by the Rev. Q-. Morice, and several hymns having been sung, the party dispersed and entered into various games with great spirit. One great attraction was a beautiful white donkey lent by Mr Cuff, which carried young ladies with the utmost care, but speedily and in the most unceremonious manner dislodged the bovs who mounted—an instance of the fallacy of the proveibial idea that the ass is necessarily stupid or lacking in discrimination. During this time the teachers were busily engaged in preparing the dinner, which proved both excellent and abundant, and reflected great crediton the commissariat department. Full justice having been done to the provisions, several hymns were sung in excellent style, and the party again dispersed to their amusement, The Band of Hope formed a procession headed by a large banner with the motto "Prevention is better than cure," and marched round the paddock, singing favorite hymns. Shortly before 5 p.m. the children were again assembled, and gave three lusty cheers for Mr Giiford, and three more for those who had contributed to the day's entertainment. The proceedings were closed by a verse of the National Anthem, admirably sung by the children, and prayer by the Rev. A. Shepherd. The parts were then rapidly filled, and the irrepressible youngsters, with their sunburnt and happy faces, con tinued singing and cheering all the way homeward.- It is difficult to give the exact numbers, but there must have been upwards of 350 people on the ground most of the day. Great credit is due to the Sunday School teachers, for their untiring exertions in providing for the comfort of their charges, and in maintaining order. On the same day Father Reignier's annual treat was given at Meanee on his usual liberal scale. It was largely attended, and passed off very successfully, but no details have reached us,

Fine Weather has prevailed during the last week. Prom the New Zealand Gazette, 10th December, we learn that the 'name of Captain M. Fitzgerald has been placed on the unattached list of New Zealand Militia; and in the Gazette of the 18th it is notified rhat Cornet Robert Brathwaite, Hawke's Bay Yeomanry Cavalry Volunteers, has been appointed Lieutenant, date of commission 12th October.

Accident to Mr J. Campbell.— We are sorry to have to record an accident which occurred on Monday last bo Mr John Campbell, master of the schooner Hero. Mr and Mrs Campbell were returning from the Waitangi treat in a chaise-cart, Mr Campbell driving, when on a narrow part of the road they met a cart drawn by a restive horse. In avoiding this the chaise fell into a deep ditch at the side of the road, and the occupants were thrown out. Mrs Campbell escaped wi'h a few bruises, but Mr Campbell was much more seriously injured. He received a seveie blow in the leg, it is conjectured by a kick fiom the horse, and though there is no reason for supposing the limb to be broken, yet the injury is a very serious one, and he is still confined to his bed. The accident is much to be regretted, and was as far a* we know the only event which occurred to mar the day's enjoyment.