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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 19, Issue 1463, 24 October 1872, Page 2

We find the following in the New Zealand Heiald, October 19 :—-It will be remembered that some time ago a great row occurred at Coromandel, in consequence of a Maori taking possession of his wife against her inclination. The two of them are now in Auckland, and last night something very like a fracas occurred on the Queen street what f, in consequence of the husband endeavoring to forcibly place his wahine on board a vessel bound for the Thames. It seems that he was passing down the wharf on his way to the night steamer, wheu he espied the partner of his joy-! and sorrows in company with another dusky lady. But between the two ladies was a gentleman with a white skin, to this gentleman the ladies appeared to be payms veiy earnest attention. Inflamed with jealousy at the sight of what he supposed to be a "gay Lothario,*' or enraged to think that the wife of his bosom (who, by-the-bye, is the owner of considerable landed property) should be hanging on other arms than his, he made to varJs the trio, and endea\ored to obtain forcible restitution of his conjugal rights. To this course she most strenuously objected, and fell upon her protector's neck and wept, affirming that she would nevev go with the Maori more; that he h.;ul ill treated her, and so forth,

A crowd was speedily collected, among them being 0110 or two Maori interpreters, and the laws relating to separation, and divorce were discussed; in all their bearings, and. with violent and angry gesticulations. At last. Sergeant Baker, ot the "Water Police, appeared, but as Ue saw no actual violence used he very wisely objected to* interfere. He, however, referred the parties to the police office. Hither, then, they wended their steps with tearsand protestations. Mr Commissioner ELemp was seal for, and a long korera took place, which resulted in the two/ women (said to be sisters) being placed under the protection of a Government official, who promised to take care of them until this morning, when thematter will be brought, up in some shape or other, and before some tribunal but it is hard to say what, might mention, as a slight ingredient in the affair, that during tbe row two, lawyers were present, and took sidesone for the woman and one for the man. —one asserting, with all the eloquenceof a hot-headed young solicitor, that no, law, human or could separate, those who, had once been joined to-, gether; while the other took quite theopposite view, and asserted with equal force, that " when a woman says shewill, she will; but when she says shewon'*, she won't!" and nobody had a right to interfere. As the outraged husband looked upon the dusky Hebes, he doubtless echoed the sentiment of Captain Macheath—"How happy could; l be with either, wore- t'other dear charmer away." We greatly fear Divorce Court will yet have to be re-, sorted to to end the matter.

Tho Thames correspondent of tlio New Zealand Herald writes, as .follows, under date 18ih October :—This morning an accident took place at the back of Messrs Morrin's store, that is. likely to be attended with fatal consequences.. It appears that a man named Philips, in the employ of Mr Seager, engineer,, went into the storage yard of Messis. Morrin to pick out some boiler plates, anrl as these were reared against thewall, he commenced to overhaul them, allowing those that were passed overto lean upon his stomach-, and shortly these were too many and overpowered: him., when the entire heap—weighingclose upon 15 owl.—fell across his chest. His cries were heard, and he was released vevy speedily, but it was found, on the arrival of Dr Croft, that although he was sensible the whole of his limbs were paralysed. It is believed that his spine.is injured* but as.yet no, news has been received from, the hos? pilal, further than that he-is not expected to reeo.vcr.

From our Auckland files we learn* that the steamer Hero, which left for Sidney and Melbourne on the 18th inst., was the bearer of six boxes o£ gold, containg 5,771 ozs. 7 dwts„ value £23,513 13s 6d, consigned by theBank of Zealand. Of this quantity 1,523 ozs. 18 dwts. 12 grs.,, value: .£6,400, were produce of the Thames,, the rouiaindcr came from Nelson, Westland, and Otago. The total amount of export duty 'was £721 8s 64. The Theatre Royal, Grahamstown (says the correspondent of the Southern Cross) had a narrow escape from a se--rtons rire on Sunday evening, Oct. 20, WhiNt lighting up the house for tho evening's entertainment was proceeding, one of the kerosiue lamps fell and burst, and a great blaze-up followed. The flames were, however, soon extinguished, 'nit not before an alarm of tirehad been raised outside, and that set the tire-bells ringing, and for a few moments quite a panic prevailed amongst, the crowd in the street. It had the effect ol putting the Fire Brigade on its mettle. The members turned out with remarkable promptitude, engine and horse reel being both ready, and on. the ground. The alarm, soon subsided.

The Sou tli Australian Register stales that the ship Glen Osmond, having passed Madeira, lay becalmed for two, days 36° N., 18° W. longitude, and while in this state of quiesence, fell in with a shoal of turtle. In the worils. of the master, " the sea was alive with, the cheloni Ise, while dolphins and bonito swarmed about the ship." A. boat Wih lowered, and the spox.t Qk catching vas engaged in with such zeal' that from 40 to 50 turtles were secured

■Jhere was no restriction as to size, and the funny creatures were brought on board until the sportsmen were tired of the pursuit. Then came a period of indulgence, for the services of the chef de cuisine were called into requisition, and turtle soup was every day fare. Borne of the people became taxidermists, and exhibited great skill in preserving the relics of the raid. Mr Tarlton has several shells in good preservation, and others are on board board where the heads and flippers are perfect. The whole affair vas a singular episode such as seldom falls into the record of a log-book, and the ex citeruent lasted as long as the turtle. It was intended to bring on a few of them for the delectation of our gourmands; but after the tropics wore passed, it became difficult to attend to them, andin a heavy gale off the Cape, the remainder were washed overboard.

A late English paper says ; —An inquest was held at the Pack Horse Inn, St. David's, Exeter, on the body of ftoah Flood, an elderly man, residing hi the Attwell's almshouses. Eroru the evidence of a person who had nursed him, it appeared that for many years he had never undressed to go to bed, but only shifted his clothes when cleanliness compelled him to do so. When he went to bed he always used to sleep in his ordinary clothes, and would sometimes wear as many as five waistcoat*, complaining of being cold. During the hot weather of the past few months he used to keep a large fire iu, and at nio-bt he would have on four or live blankets, and an equal number of quilts, whilst he also wore his slippers in bed. He used to have eight or nine cups of coffee a day, and would occasionally have a little rum at night. On Sunday, August 11, he said he had taken a double allowance, and near midnight he was heard smashing the tilings in his room. When asked what was the matter, and requested to open the door, he said he could not unlock it. At three o'clock the next morning, however, he was heard to unlock the door, go upstairs, and on his return re lock the door. When called on about eight o'clock no answer was received from him, and on a plumber going in at the window he found deceased lying in bed, fully dressed, but quite dead. " Here be truths ! " —Art critic (who having "liquored up" considerably, fails to observe thafc as yet he is only in the lobby of the saleroom, and is standing before a mirror, which purchased at a previous sale, still retains-its ticket) —" Ah ! Portrait *f gen'lerpan, 1 sh'pose—hie—(smiles) - drawing exsh'cr'ble—great want taste iu the choice 'f shubject—only fit for a place in 'taproom of public-'ouse."—Punch.