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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 16, Issue 868, 16 November 1870, Page 2

A correspondent of the Daily Southern Cross thus describes a scene at Wangapoa : On the 4th inst., a gentleman made his appearance here on behalf of the Provisional Trustee to take possession of certain lots of timber in the Opitonui Creek and elsewhere. In accordance with instructions he proceeded to take possession of a raft of logs, having previously given notice to the owner of the other. mill, and furnished him with a copy oi his authority. To his astonishment, however, on approaching the raft with men and gear, ho found it manned by about a dozen excited Maoris armed with pike poles, and eight or nine Europeans, together with the gentleman to whom he had give notice of his intention. These all brandished their piko poles in a threatening manner, while the gentlemau referred to drew a revolver, and threatened to shoot him if ho attempted'to touch the raft. Not being at all prepared to try conclusions by combat u a 1' outranee," he, after demanding peaceable possession, wisely withdrew; and thus ended what might havo become an affair of a very serious character. We extract the following from the Otago Daily Times : —An inquest was held at the Erankton Hospital, on the 2ind ult., before Mr &. Beetham JLI.M.., on the body of John Miiward, aged 80 years. It appeared that deceased, who was a miner, came with hia J. Burke, to Mr Elliot's store, Arrow Bluff, on Sunday evening, 16th ult., lor the purpose of selling gold. Alter selling, they had drir.ks. Mil ward then accused Burke of cheating him out of the price of some gold which lie hid sold on a previous occasion. Burke denied the charge, and Miiward threatened to break his nose. After some angry words, they went outside the store ana fought, Burke was knocked down several times, and was getting the worst of the light. At the last fall Miiward fell on Burke, whoso kneo came between Mil ward's legs burning him internally. Miiward, who" was unable to walk, was conveyed on a stretcher to (bibb's public? house, and eventually to the Eraiiktoh Hospital, where he died on the 20lh uit. from rupture of the bladder. Burke was present at*tbe inquest in custody, a verdict of manslaughter was returned against him, and he was committed lor trial. The deceased was an Englishman, and was unmarried. He had but recently come from the West Coast, and formerly worked at a crushing muehme at Ballarat.