Interprovincial Items.

Hawke's Bay Times, Issue 1525, 14 November 1873, Page 14

Interprovincial Items.

POVERTY BAY. Our files of the Standard extend to the Bth instant. We gather the following items:— . *•«* Narrow Escape from Fire. A conflagration which would have been as disastrous in its results as extensive in its operation was fortunately averted by mere accident at 5 o'clock on Sunday morning last. It appears that Mr Northover discovered dense smoke issuing from the launch Lily, moored to Bead's wharf, but, thinking she was on the move to the Basilisk, took no notice of what seemed to be an ordinary occurrence. On approaching the wharf, however, he discovered that the boat was on fire, and immediately procured assistance. On extinguishing the flames it was discovered that a goodly portion of the flooring aud beams in the vicinity of the furnace had been burnt through, and that the fire was making rapid progress towards the sides; but for this the fire would have communicated itself with the wharf and bonded stores belonging to Captain Read, causing destruction to some £SOOO or £6OOO worth of property. We are glad to say that the damage done is slight and the repairs will soon be effected. But there is a lurking suspicion that foul play is at hand. Mr Paterson, the engineer, says he raked out the furnace as usual at 5 o'clock on Saturday evening, and that as late as 10 o'clock there was no sign of fire. Ha also reports that on one occasion lately he found after lighting the fire that the boiler, which he had filled ready for use on the previous night, was pumped dry; and that on another occasion the Lily was cut adrift from the wharf, and found lying'across the bows of tho schooner Merlin in the stream. It is certainly evident that either carelessness or rascality has been the cause of these things, and, as it is not suspected to be tho former, we still hope it is not the latter. Anyhow the town has again escaped a great calamity.

Rifle Match. A friendly rifle match came off on Saturday last at the Gisborne Rifle Range between five members of the G.R.V.C, and five members from H.M.S.S. Basilisk. Owing to a strong breeze blowing from the left front the shooting was not so good as might have been expected. The ranges were 300 yards standing, 400 and 500 yards any position, five shots at each range. The total scores were G.8.V.C., 197 points, Basilisks 186, thus leaving the former winners by 11 points only.

The Gisborne Volunteers

The esprit dc corps evinced by our volunteers, both foot and mounted, is worthy o£ all commendation. Eleven members of the Gisborne Kifle Volunteer Corps, having completed their musketry instruction drills, met at the rifle range on Friday last for target practice, in order to qualify for the marksmen's badges presented by the Government" The day was fine, but owing to the corps taking part in the sham fight on the same day the shooting was not so good as it otherwise would have been. The firing at 550 yards at a third-class target 6x4, any position, is considered very good, and, we think, is not likely to bo beaten by any corps in "the island, obliged to fire at that sized target on account of the range not exceeding 600 yards. Seven out of eleven have qualified as marksmen, a result which is considered extremely satisfactory. Captain Winter has proved himself on this occasion to be the best shot in the company, closely followed by Lieutenant Daly and Corporal Nasmith. The Superintendency Election. There was little rejoicing on Thursday, the 6th inst., in Gisborne over the Election of Superintendent. Even the weather frowned and shed copious tears on the inauspicious occasion. A cold wet South Easter operated largely in preventing country residents from attending, they deeming the importance of the choice, as involved in the issue, not worth the trouble of a disagreeable journey on bad roads to record their votes. Some little excitement was caused, however, at the close of the Poll. It appears that, succumbing to rather powerful calls of an empty stomach, and a good appetite, the Deputy Returning Officer closed the Court-house, where the votes were being recorded, from one to two o'clock, for the purpose of regaling himself after the diurnal fashion of his fellow mortals. Vulgarly speaking he wanted his dinner and he got it. He did not ask leave, because no one could give it him, so he took it—continentally. Acting on what appears to be an obvious right a protest signed by some half-dozen electors was handed to the Deputy Returning Officer on his announcing the number of votes recorded for each candidate. We have not space to notice this further just now ; but we certainly think it a serious responsibility for the Deputy Returning Officer to take, as it involves a question, apparently clear, of great constitutional privilege and liberty. The votes stand as follow:—Dargaville 43, Williamson 14, Lusk 5. Importation of Stock. By the last trip of the Rangatira, the sheep fanning interest of this district received a very valuable addition of blood. Ten first-class Merino Rams, the property of Messrs Johnson Bros, and Westrup, were landed in capital condition. They are from Mr J. h, Currie/s celebrated stud,

winch took'all the leading prizes at the late Show at Skipton, aud referring to which the Australasian ' says :^-!'Mr Currie won the highest prizes and the greatest number" Some of these rams: were sold after the show for upwards of £2OO each. They show great symmetry,, of form, combined with evenness and' strength of staple, quotations' of'which have reached 3s 8d to 3s lOd per lb.' \ v H.M.S. Basilisk and the. Natives. The Standard of the Bth instant devotes a leader to the visit of H.M.S. Basilisk, and its effect on " the Maori mind." It would appear from the article in question, that the natives .were invited to join in the demonstrations which took place, but that, suspecting some kind of treachery, they held aloof. We quote a portion of, the article :—" The arrival of the Basilisk in the waters of Poverty Bay is regarded as rather a significant fact by those who are supposed to be well posted in the political movements of the present Ministry. Indeed the planning of her whole cruise is one adapted to the double purpose of reconnoitering and reporting to the Government upon the wants of the places visited, and of proving to those of the aboriginals who have revolutionary proclivities that there is a power afloat ready at hand to co-operate with the land forces in the maintenance of the position it is considered advisable to take with reference to the tribal and agrarian questions which just now are operating with a baleful influence on the native mind. A timely exhibition of strength will sometimes have a salutary effect in reminding the disaffected of the probable consequences of an open disloyalty. The assertion of a given power ready to be employed in the defence of freedom and the maintenance of right, is necessary and proper if too much reliance be not placed on the moral effect likely to be produced. That such an effect has already resulted from the visit of a man-of-war—the entry of a formidable flotilla to the Turanganui river; the expeditious landing of blue jackets, marines, and field pieces, and the sham fight which followed—is apparent from the conduct of the natives themselves. Captain Porter, as representing the Government, did his best, probably in obedience to instructions, to obtain the presence in town of a large body of natives to witness the proceedings, and, if need be, to take part therein, at any rate as far as a war-dance was concerned. Their almost entire absence—there being only a few stragglers in Gisborne—guideß us to at least one moral effect which the Government should follow up with decisiveness, and from which a valuable lesson may bo learnt. The natives would not respond to Captain Porter's invitation from a suspicion as to the exact nature of the Basilisk's visit, and the possibleicensequences of danger to themselves, under cover of a doubtful friendliness. According to that officer's opinion, and also to Mr Skipworth's—the natives were really alarmed at what they believed the hostility, not to say murderousness, of the invitation. These gentlemen, who really displayed great tact and energy in partially allaying suspicion, and were the chief instruments in obtaining any native demonstration at all, attest with much circumstantiality to the existence of a belief in the minds of the Maoris that the hour of reprisal vvas at hand, and that judgment was come upon them for their recent misdeeds, and opposition to the Government during the last few months ; and it is entirely to that belief that we may attribute the breakdown of one of the great features in the naval programme. As we have said, too much stress must not be laid upon this particular circumstance. Moral impressions never take a very deep root in the Maori mind. It is not a characteristic of their race to hold in veneration the precepts of a rule superior to their own unless compelled to do so from physical causes. The fear which deterred the natives from coming into Turanganui, lest harm should befall them, would vanish so soon as the cause which produced that fear had departed; and we very much doubt, if circumstances again they will do—affording opportunity to oppose [the Government, whether there will be found a single native to desist, from a remembrance of the Basilisk's visit and the parade which followed it. But in view of the fact that these natives are conscious of having done wrong, and that it is possible to establish a wholesome dread of consequences, wc say the Government should follow up the advantage with firmness. The politico-naval demonstration which caused so much pleasant stir and excitement in Gisborne, was intended to prepare the way for the peaceful solution of the Deed of Cession difficulties by the Commissioners expected to resume the sitting of that Court next week, and the cruise of a man-of-war up the Coast at this particular period, may materially aid the cause of the colonists if the Government do not fear to use the power it undoubtedly possesses."

Maliciously Shooting a Horse. On the 30th ultimo, a man named Duncan Fraser was charged at the Resident Magistrate's Court, Gisborne, on the information of Mr John Breingan, with the above offence. The evidence of Mr Breingan was as follows :—" I am a sheepfarmer, residing at Waikohu in Poverty Bay, I crossed the Waikohu in company with some natives on the morning of the 28th instant, for the purpose of being put in possession by them of a rah called Te Koutu. The names of the natives are Wi Mahuika and Tipene. When we arrived at Blackstock's whare, we breakfasted ; during this time the natives had commenced driving Duncan Fraser's sheep ofE the land. I did not assist.them. I joined them afterwards. I saw Duncan Fraser coming with a rifle; he had the nipple ot the rifle under his coat to keep it from the rain : he said to me—- • "What are you doing ?' I said' What am I doing?' He said, ' You are driving my

sheep.' I told him that I was not, but thai*|he natives were driving them; I referred him to the natives. Immediately after this he said, 'I will shoot your horse.' I held out my hand and said •Do not do that.' He said, ' I will,' and took aim and shot my horse from under me: the horse died within ten minutes after he was shot. When I recovered myself from the shock, I saw the accused flourishing a stick over his head. I took the saddle and bridle off the dead horse, and went away, the natives accompanying me. George Biackstock remained: he had been taking charge of the Te Koutu runj and was in my employ. I should think the muzzle of Fraser's rifle was about ten or twelve feet from ray horse when it was shot." The defendant made the following statement :—" On Tuesday morning last Mr Brcingan and some natives were driving my sheep. I told him to leave my sheep alone ; he refused and said he would not. I told him if he did not leave my sheep alone I should shoot his horse. He said, 1 You will ?' I said,' Yes, I will certainly shoot your horse, if you do not cease driving my sheep away.' He said ho would not, therefore I shot the horse to prevent him doing so." The Bench considered the prisoner justified in defending what he deemed to be his rights, but considered he had been hasty. They declined to take upon themselYes the responsibility of dismissing the case, and committed the prisoner for trial at the next sittings of the Supreme Court, to be holden in Napier on the Bth December. Bail was allowed. Cricket Match. Saturday last was a gala day in town and country. The festivities of the pre- | vious day were recommenced with great vigor, and were made as general and complete as was possible in the face of I the fact that the Basilisk, with her jolly companions every ene, was uuder orders to trip anchor that night. The day was unexceptionable ; and the early morning saw the cricketers in full fig and costume, preparing for the road to Mr Parsons' homestead, where, as announced, the wickets were to be pitched for a match between eleven of H.M.S. Basilisk, and eleven of the settlers. All the available horses and traps were in demand, and riding and driving parties were formed with a zest which showed that the settlers threw their whole soul into the work of entertaining their visitors in a way befitting the occasion. Several ladies graced the ground by their presence, taking favorable opportunities to cheer ■ the victors and encourage the vanquished. Play commenced shortly before 1 o'clock and was continued with good humor and spirit until near 5 o'clock. We have not space to detail the scoring, but the game resulted in one innings thus:—Settlers, 119 ; Navals, 67. Preparations were now made for returning to Gisborne, the usual valedictory fraternizations took place, and many mutual regrets were expressed at the decree which took the gallant tara so soon away. On Captain Moresby dismounting, a goodly pressure was brought to bear on him to defer his departure until the following Monday, to give the settlers an opportunity of extending their hospitality to himself and his officers, but his orders were too imperative to admit of it. The boats were manned, and amid ringing cheers and counter cheers, pulled down the river about dusk. Captain Moresby will probably return to Porerty Bay ere long, and will make a more lengthened stay. Besides the above, a large number of visitors were entertained on board the Basilisk during the day, the Lily being kept well-employed the whole time. The Provincial Election. Several gentlemen waited upon Captain G-. E. Read, on the 7th instant, for the purpose of presenting him with a numerously signed requisition to allow Himself to be nominated as a candidate to represent this district in the Provincial Council. Captain Read has declined the honor, not because he does not appreciate the compliment paid to him, but for political and other reasons which he will lay before the electors on Wednesday next. J. Woodbine Johnson. Esq., has favorably replied to a similar requisition, and will become a candidate for Provincial honors. Departure of the Basilisk. H.M.S. Basilisk took her departure on Saturday night, and arrived at Tologa Bay early on Sunday morning. We are informed that some considerable amount of gunpowder and a number of shells were expended at a harmless cliff; and that after the officers had entertained a number of visitors during the day the Basilisk stood out to sea again in the evening. Miscellaneous. The amount received at the house, for duties during the month of October, was £669 19s. During the sham fight on Friday, the Ist November, a sou of Mr S. Stevenson, of Gisborne, was so frightened with the reports of the field pieces, that a number of convulsive fits supervened. We understand he has recovered since. We learn that the Luna may be expected at Poverty Bay shortly, bringing Commissioners Munro and Rogan, to resume the sittings of the adjourned Court of Investigation, and also to hold a sitting of a Court under the Native Lands' Act. An English Crow was seen last week by Captain Richardson, in the vicinity of Gisborne. We learn that the buildings intended for the use of the native schools at Waiapu and Akuaku are near completion, and that teachers are to be appointed to them forthwith. Under the heading '• Meteorological," the Standard of the Bth instant reports i-» The last few days have presented one uniform dreary aspect, broken only by intermittent showers from the S.E., and severe squalls, an intense wintry temperature having succeeded to the previous week of summer sultriness. The gale had, not moderated last evening,