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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 18, Issue 1101, 23 August 1871, Page 2

The Evening Post, August 14, says ; —A telegram published iu the independent of this morning announces that the ferry boat on the Patea river capsized on Saturday, Mr Halcombe, the mailman, and two ferry hands being on boai'd. The boat ran foul of the punt wire, and went over immediately. All the passengers got hold of the wire rope, along which they managed to work themselves nearly to the shore- Mr Halcombe had a very narrow escape, being furthest off, and encumbered with heavy clothes and long mackintosh. After struggling through the current he was too exhausted to work himself up the rope where it rose from the water, and a man, named Jas. Ryan, at great risk of bis own life, went to Mr Halcombe's assistance. After one unsuccessful attempt he made a second effort, and fastened a rope round his body, when he was dragged ashore after nearly half an hour's immersion. The Wellington mail bags were recoveied on Sunday near the Heads by the constabulary. The Wellington Advertiser complains as follows: —Maoris, in some people's eyes, seem to be more deserving than other people, and we have no reason for saying that they are not equally so, but it seems rather absurd to release a prisoner, as was done with one of the Hau-haus the other day, and then employ him to cook for the remainder, at a salary of seventeen shillings and sixpence per week. This scarcely seems quite the thing, when one takes into consideration the number of Europeans that would jump at such a chance of earning a livlihood.

Some one says five to ten per cent, more milk can be obtained by attention to two or three rules ; Never hurry cjws in driving to and from pasture ; milk at half-past five a.m. and six p.m.; when seated draw the milk as rapidly as possible.

THE HELIGOLAND DISPUTE. [SOUTHERN CROSS, AUtf. lj.] That a mere dot on the surface of the ocean should involve two great and kindred nations in the horrors of war, is not a thing to be regarded as impossible. From more trifling causes great events h ;ve sprung, and San Juan was long regarded as a possible casus belli between England and America. That Heligoland therefore, disappearing though it is by the gradual encroachments of the sea, should excite hostilities betweeu the German empire and England, would not afford subject of surprise. That complications have arisen respecting this little island, is apparent. Bismarck has set a covetous eye on it; and we are informed that despatches of a somewhat peremptory kind have been passing between the Prussian and the British Ministers. The modern form which annexation has assumed, that of purchase, had been proposed ; but, if we are to believe the American Press, negotiations subsequently assumed a determined and peremptory form that bodes evil. We are not indeed warranted in taking without discount statements from this source respecting the difficulties in which Eugland may be involved ; but the statement is so circumstantial, and the date so recent, that we may well see grounds for concern. The negotiations according to the New York Herald opened with the proposal to buy, which elicited a curt reply that England did not wish to sell. This, as alleged, produced another despatch to the effect that Heligoland js necessary to Germany, to which the British Minister replied that England could only consider her own interest, and that Germany's desire to possess Heligoland did not constitute a right to it. With this abrupt reply our account of the negotiation suddenly ends, and it must be admitted that, if correctly stated, the account indicates a complication of a very grave kind. The little island in dispute is situated at the mouth of the Elbe and Weser, and from gradually melting away with the wash of the tide does not contain at present over 110 acres of surface. Taken originally from the Dutch, it was once of great importance as a naval station, and at the time when England was excluded from Continental trade by the first Napoleon, played a most important part in the events of the day. la the altered policy of England, it is difficult to see what importance it can now possess, although doubtless national honor might be regarded as involved in its retention. To the new German Empire the little island might be of very great value, its possession by another Power being really like a menace ; and if the negotiation can be carried through in a manner consistent with the honor of England, there must be few well-wishers to England and humanity who would not gladly see the valueless station given amicably over, rather than that two friendly and powerful nations should try conclusions in the terrible arbitrament of war.