Untitled

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 19, Issue 1257, 24 February 1872, Page 2

lii the rifle match fired on Thursday last between single and married members of the Rifle Volunteers, the ranges fired at were 200, 400, and 500 yards—not 400, 500, and 600 yards, as mentioned by us yesterday. It is reported that gold coin of the value of five shillings will be coined at the Victorian mint. Coinage of this description would be a great public convenience. Anything that would tend to reduce the necessity of carrying about heavy silver, would be a decided public b,qon. The sew Zealand Herald of Wednesday last says :—The upward tendency in wool has raised the price of sheep throughout the colony. At Mr Buckland's annual sheep fair, bold the other day, about 5000 animals were penned, and most of them were sold at good prices. Lei costers showed the greatest increase, the average price having increased from 16s 9d last year, to 21s and 28b 6d,

According to the Postmaster General's time-table, the next mails from, Europe, America, &c.., via San Francisco* will be due at Auckland on Monday next, 2G,th inst., but she can hardly be expected so soon. Advices from Sydney state tjjat My Webb has entered into engagements with the A.. S.N. Company to the effect that their boats? shall connect at Auckland with the American steamers, which, by the terms of the contact, are to run down the New Zealand coast. The first steamer under this arrangement is the City of Melbourne, which was to leave Sydney for Auckland on the 16th inst., with mails and passengers for the Nevada. The City of Melbourne would remain at Auckland lor the Nebraska, and sail wiuh mails and passengers for the Australian colonies six hours, after the arrival of the boat from Honolulu. In the latest Auckland papers, the share market is reported, as being very dull. Caledoniaio, shares are quoted at £ls; Thames, £5 7s 6d ; Tookeys, £8 10s; All Nations, £Q ; Golden, Calf, £2 10s ■ Moanatairi, £2 10s. A rifle match took place at Porirua, Wellington, on the 7th inst., between ten men of the Porirua Yolunteers and ten men of the Wellington city com panics. The ranges were 400, 500, and 600 yards, five shots at each. The Porirua men were the victors by 42 points, the total scores being 525 and 483.

"We learn from the Wanganiu Herald; that, in crossing the temporary bridge over the Okehii river on Thursday night, Feb 7, the carriage containing the Hon. the .Defence Minister, running too close to one side, went over, throwing Mr M'Lean, Colonel St. John, and two other gentlemen into the yivev. The bridge happened to be under water at the time, which prevented the driver from seeing its outlines. The party got a wetting and escaped without further damage. The body of a man named Patrick Moran was found in Wellington harbor on the 12th inst. An inquest was held the same day, but no light was thrown on the ca<e, and the jury returned an open verdict. Mr E. If. Ward, the Registrar of the Supreme Court at Dunedin, had an almost miraculous escape from drowning on the afternoon of the 3rd instant. The Daily Times says :—He was riding along the railway embankment across Pelichet Bay, at high tide, and while crossing one of the partially plunked bridges, his horse took fright, jumped clear off the narrow roadway, and precipitated itself and its rider headlong into the deep channel beneath. Most fortunately Mr Ward got clear away from the horse without being either kicked or bruised, and swam to one of the piles of the bridge, which he climbed up safe and sound. The Wellington Independent says : —■ " Nothing is more certain than that the Nelson Provincial Government will lose its West Coast gold-fields. For years past the mining population on the south-west gold-tiekls have been protesting against the wretched mis government they have suffered under the hands of the present provincial administration." Late Otago papers state that, at the second annual pic-nic of the Tokomairiro Band of Hope and Total Abstinence Society, held a few days ago, more than 100 children were present. They formed in a line two abreast, preceded by an excellent band, and with banners Hying marched through the township and across the bridge, where waggons, drays, and other vehicles supplied by the surrounding settlers, were in waiting to convey the party to Bon Accord, the residence of Mr James Adam. The destination was reached a little before 12 o'clock, and the crowd at once dispersed throughout the garden in quest of fruit, the whole having- been kindly placed at their disposal! Luncheon was served at 2 o'clock, and tea at 5, and the provisions were both abundant and of excellent quality. Throughout Hie afternoon games and amusements of all soits common on such occasions were heartily engaged in. The grounds of Bon Accord are in every respect suited for buch an entertainment; the weather, was delightful, and the whole party, numbering about 300, devoted themselves to mirth and pleasure.

After tea Mr Capstick proposed a vote of thanks to Mr and Mrs Adam for very great kindness and attention they had shown to the company, which was carried with tbiee hearty cheers. lb appears that the buffaloes were very much discommoded by the late terrible snow storm on the Pacific Kail road. While a train of cars was embedded in the snow, these animals gathered to the lee side for shelter. A correspondent of the Alta California says :—" If any one felt disposed, he might, from his seat in the car, pop them over with his revolver —the vet-t would nob move—they could not be driven away by engine whistling or human voice, but crowded their shaggy sides, clo.se up to the cars, and; there stood with bowed heads for the storm to pass. Many were seen to fall down in their tracks, frozen to death, and when, at last the train was. dug out and moved off, the track was lined with these huge, shaggy, frozen carcases. We think a robe a luxury in winter—so it is. Imagine the severity of the weather when the- animal which furnishes, the robe freezes to. death, under his. natural protection.''