HAWKESBURY. (From our own correspondent.) Hawkesbury, llth April 1864.

North Otago Times, Volume I, Issue 8, 14 April 1864, Page 4 (Supplement)

HAWKESBURY. (From our own correspondent.) Hawkesbury, llth April 1864.

Buisness operations during the past three weeks have been somewhat more active than formerly, and, as the proclamation declaring this an infected district is likely to be soon repealed, I have every hope that we shall be able to resume those active operations which the prohibition had so effectually checked. Lately a good number of teams have passed up en route for the various diggings, with goods purchased here, while, when there are so many to supply, and so often to be supplied, the average amount of transactions are necessarily limited. In the timber trade business has been more •active, and some 40,000 feet or more has been sold at the yards for up country use. as well as well as town. The building trade is more active, carpenters for the present being in full employ The Hawkesbury Cricket Club is an established fact, and I trust will prove a successful! affair. A good sum has been expended in buying plant, and there is still a balance in the Treasurer's hands. Do not be surprised if the Oamarn Club receives a challenge. I have every reason to believe that this is being thought of. An inquest was held on the body of an infant four months old, the daughter of Robert Wilson last, Thursday, the" jury's verdict was " Died from Natural Causes." The child had been suffering from inflatnation of the lungs. lam of opinion that an enquiry in this rase was uncalled for, and not only entailing an expense to the Government, putting many people to inconvenience, as also giving a shock to the feelings of the bereaved parents. Surely the Coroner has a discretionary power in these cases, and where it was so evident that a medical man had been jp attendance, there could be no reasonable grounds for a suspicion of foul play or neglect. I cannot conceive what the School Committee of this district are doing, you are aware that a somewhat heavy rate has been levied upon the ratepayers of this district, but you probably may not be aware that the rates, with but few exceptions, have been paid, those exceptions are those best able to pay, Mr John Jones and his family. We, who have paid the rate have just cause fur complaint, for the partiality shown these people. The Committee should have enforced the rate before this. They are establishing a very bad precedent, and one likely to give future Committees trouble, if A does not pay why should B, and so on. Mr Men-it's premises, and of which I advised you in my last, are insured to the amount stated. The fire burnt through the flooring and caught some straw piled tinder the building. Mr Merrit's loss will be comparatively little, the insurance will nearly cover the whole amount. A cool and daring robbery under arms took place on the Bth instant, James Frazer of the Bendigo Coffee house, while going into the Hawkesbury bush between six and seven o'clock p. m. and while in a lonely part was stopped bv a man named S. Jones alias Old Sam who presented a revolver at his head and threatened to shoot him if any resistance was made. He then led Frazer a abort way into the bush, tied him to a tree and rifled him of £18 15s, on parting he warned Turner to make no attempt to get free for a few hours as there was some one watching him. Frazer succeeded in getting free in about half-an-bour's time and gave information to the police. The Seargant at once took active steps to capture the offender, sent a constable to the vicinity of the robbery, dispatched another towards Moeraki, and himself watched at the ford at the Waikouati river in the line of the new road, and at daylight sent a messenger to Dunedin with the particulars. All outlets from the district are closely watched, but as Jones is an old bushranger it is supposed he has taken some mountain track. It is singular that from the commission of the robbery no trace has been seen of the offender. Every shanty, hotel, or other liklcy place in the district has been visited without success. Jones is 45 years of age, sft. 7in. high, of stout build, fresh complexion, dark hair and whiskers, turning grey, a flat nose, and particular expression of features, and a swaggering gait, was dressed in dark shooting coat, bedford cord trousers, blue serge shirt, and Scotch cap with a peak to it. He is an old Tasmanian. was working on the Blueskin road, and latterly splitting timber in Uawkesbury bush. The revolver with which the offence was committed 1 was one stolen from a man in

the bush. Too much praise cannot be given to Sergant Burns and those under him for the energetic measures adopted, the former especijiily, although suffering from a compound fracture of the arm, was particularly alert on the night of the robbery and since.