HAWKESBURY. (From our own Correspondent.) March 14th, 1864.

North Otago Times, Volume 1, Issue 4, 17 March 1864, Page 6

HAWKESBURY. (From our own Corresp ondent.) March 14th, 1864.

I regret to report that on the 9th inst., about 4 a.m , Mr. Houghton's store at the Spit was washed down. His loss, I fear, is cousiderable, many of the heavier goods» case ale and tobacco, have sunk, and are not recoverable. Several boat loads of goods were picked up out in the bay. The sea is making great inroads on the Spit; portions which used to be dry at the highest spring tides, are now covered at low water. A daring attempt at robbery took place at the Bank of New Zealand on the morning of thp 10th. Entrance was effeetod by removing a pane of glass in the window. The thieves must have been alarmed, as they left a stout rope behind them, and got only a few shillings from the till for their trouble. No clue can be found of the perprctrators. Their object must have been the Bank safe, and which three or four men could easily have carried away. Mr. Hull is having the windows protected by iron rods, and this, it is to be hoped, will deter a like attempt in future. The election of two lay members to represent Waikouaiti and Goodwood in the Otago Rural Deanery Board, took place on the 9th inst. Messrs. Frederick Mayne, and M ; Leod C. Orbell, were duly elected. A poor woman who has been living on the road towards Blueskin has been sent to the Hospital at Dunedin for medical attendance, being of unsound mind, and having attempted to commit suicide by stabbing herself — another instance of the effects of drinking. A fire took place at Mr. W. Jones', of Goodwood, on the 11th inst., and I regret to say has done some considerable damag-e. His stables, barn, and store were all under one roof and were completely destroyed, as also their contents, including a valuable and favorite hack which was burnt to death. The loss must be considerable, some £1200, and it is to be feared that it was an act of incendiarism. A number of valuable dogs were poisoned a few nights back. It is to be hoped that the perpetrator will be discovered and punished. A piece of poisoned meat, cooked, was found laying near the street; it was covered with arsenic, and might have been eaten by some child. Business still continues very dull. There is little or nothing doing in the building trade. The Lady of the Lake steamer, I believe, will soon be again laid on between this and Dunedin, making daily trips. Several lighters have been in port during the past week.