HAWKESBURY. (From our own correspondent.) Hawkesbury, 9th May, 1864.

North Otago Times, Volume I, Issue 12, 12 May 1864, Page 6

HAWKESBURY. (From our own correspondent.) Hawkesbury, 9th May, 1864.

The gale which visited us last Friday, was the heaviest we have experienced for some time, and has caused some damage. The shop of Mr Powell, saddler, was completely destroyed ; several iron roofs were partially stripped, chimnies, tents, and stacks blown down. The engine of Mr Jones' mill ran some risk of destruction from the iron roofing of the engine-house being partially torn away, and risk of debris of falling material getting in the machinery, and, until the roof was secured down by ropes, it was considered too dangerous to allow anyone to enter the building and stop the engine from working. Business, I regret to say, continues very dull. During the past fortnight there have only been six arrivals of vessels from Dunedin and elsewhere, with an import of about 80 tons of goods. The transport of goods to the interior from this is now very trifling ; nor is this likely to improve for a while, many of the diggings appearing to be worked out. Several persons have left this for the Marlborough Diggings, and many more will follow should the reports continue to be favorable. The School Committee of the district have at last determined upon taking legal proceedings against defaulting ratepayers. Several new members have been elected to fill vacancies caused by the resignation of others. I am given to understand that it is in contemplation to form an agricultural association in this district. The advantage of such an association to farmers is incalculable. A ploughing match under its auspices will take place, I believe, in a short time. Several cases have been disposed of at the Resident Magistrate's Court this week. Last Wednesday, 4th inst., there was a charge of larceny against a half-caste, and his Worship having kindly allowed him the benefit of the law in ca&es of larceny by natives, and, on confession, the prisoner was ordered to pay £4 to the Crown, being four times the value of the article stolen. There was also a case of indecent assault. The evidence was decided as unfit [ for publicity in Court. The case was dismissed. Two persons were fined £2 each for having unregistered dogs in their possession. For my part, I wish the police were more active in bringing these cases l'orwuid— the place is literally overrun 1 with useless curs. ! The increase of crime during the past 1 month in this district is only too apparent. > It must, however, be borne in mind that ' our moving population is much larger than ■ ordinary — so many men being employed * on the roads. Many of these do not bear ' the best of characters, and require the ut- ' most vigilance of the police to keep them ' in order. » A quantity of the road metal broken for t the mrfin trunk line is now ready for * spreading, and this will be done at once. * I believe that a further sum has been granted for the completion of Beach-street, f and I doubt not this necessary work will - at once be gone on with. Winter is now 3 fast approaching, and if not finished at f once, the difficulties of doing so will be 1 materially increased. 1 Hawkesbury West, in spite of the dulit ness of the times, still increases in size, » buildings still being proceeded with. Du- ? j the past month a watchmaker and jewel- ■■> ler's shop has been erected here, and 1 also an oyster saloon. Our supplies of fish t have, on the whole, been abundant. .1 t?

V At Abbotsford, a little child's cradle is shown, n not as belonging to the great poet, but as being >1 actually Sir Walter's cot ! (Scott). " You look like death on a pale horse," said ? Jim to a toper, who was growing pale and emaciated. " Don't know nothing about that," re- " plied the toper, " but I'm dead on pale brandy." i. Darnel says he thinks that boarders who are d obliged to eat Eausages threo times a-day during .»• Dog Days are justified in growling at their fare. J The bellman of Watertown, in announcing a "' temperance meeting, said it would be addressed e by six women " who had never spoken bed fore." . 11 Mazarin presented a poet to Louis XIV. say- ,< ing, ' Sire, I present you with an individual who wdl give you immortality ; but you must, meanwhile, give him something to live upon." 3- A feeble-looking waterman was, a few days ;e ago, summoned for doing damage to the river 5 f Thames. It was proved that he had twice attempted to pull up the stream. Dr Young suggests that we should take a note — of Time. But how do we know that the old in spirit will pay at maturity? of A farmer, who occasionally accommodated a m neighbour with a flitch of bacon at the killing seaIt son, being applied to as usual, replied, •' I hanna sir yet made up my mind whether I shall kill myself n- this year, or take a side of my father." The editor of a Welch paper eay that Swansea at ladies have large feet. The wretch 1 He should rn be compelled to walk through the town with his statement placarded on hiB breast.