HAWKESBURY. (From our own Correspondent.) November 7, 1864.

North Otago Times, Volume II, Issue 38, 10 November 1864, Page 3

HAWKESBURY. (From our own Correspondent.) November 7, 1864.

Since my last, the " Waikouaiti Herald" has ntered on its career, and another journal is dded to the list of those who endeavor to repre'nt public opinion in the colony. Its appeario? meets the approbation of the people here, Iwaya a healthy sign for the promoters of a epresentative journal. This, however, is not he first attempt to establish a local journal here, Ithough the first attempt did not get beyond a invaes for subscribers — the promoters not meetig with the support anticipated, it fell through, id generally the movement was looked upon as political one. An inquest was held on the 4th instant, at the [aitainaka Hotel, Beach -street, before the oroner, J. W. Murdoch, Esq., upon the remains 1 a human skeleton which had been found on ic Sandhills, about half-way between the road ading to the Bay and Port, and some 200 yards om the Waikouaiti river. The medical evidence oved that the bones on view were those of a iman being, from the size those of a man of oall stature, and that they had been probably

buried for at least 40 years. The remains were tolerably complete, the skull excepted. From this circumstance, therefore, X have no doubt they were the remains of a man whose head had been taken and preserved according to old Maori custom. The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the evidence. There has been very little doing at the Resident Magistrate's Court during the past fortnight. The cases disposed of have been — 1 petty larceny, from Hampden, for which the prisoner was sentenced to two months' imprisonment ; one case of furious riding in the streets, fined 40s. Three cases of drunkenness, and some fifteen civil cases, none of which were of any interest to the general public. The weather still continues to be very dry, somewhat too much so for our cereal crops ; a few genial showers would lighten the hearts of our farmers considerably. Pleuro-pneumonia still works its will among our herds, and is carrying off a good many. The increase of deaths, however, is not more than during the last four months. The School Committee have held two meetings, and they now stand adjourned until the 7th of December next. They have decided upon obtaining their estimated expenditure (L107 11s.) for the current year by voluntary contributions. I have no doubt they will easily raise this sum, and in the manner proposed, as from a view of their subscription list, the public are subscribing very liberally. Messrs Wooleyand Dyason, who had been named as visiting members to the school, reported at the second meeting that there were 22 scholars in attendance — 13 girls and 9 boys; but that there were 24 on the books. Average attendance for the quarter, 30. The teacher reported that the falling-off in the attendance of the scholars was owing to the establishment of a private school in the town. The Committee have also given the teacher notice of their intention to readjust his salary, and have sent in a memorial to the Education Board, asking for such readjustment, as also their recommendation that the higher rate of school fees should be adopted in the district. Messrs Wilson and Smith were appointed a Visiting Committee at the school for the current month. We have been plentifully supplied with fresh fish of late, and sold more reasonably than has hitherto been the case with us. The butchers still keep up their high prices for meat, and considering we are undergoing a surfeit of " dull times," it i3 somewhat distressing to that numerous class who live ou their income, all going out and nothing coming in. True, I have heard it reported- that the prices are about being lowered — I only hope it is true. I am glad to be able to write that the bridge across Waikouaiti river is just about finished, and I believe will be open to the public next week. The wood-work is being covered with coal tar and paint. The approaches will be filled in on Wednesday. The bridge itself is 290 feet long, with a breadth of nearly 20 feet ; the deck planking is coated with tar, and will have gravel laid on over that. The railing stands about six feet in the clear. This, to me, looks very unsightly, being heavy, and not at all artistic. Iron stanchiona and chains would be a very improving substitute, not only improving the appearance, but being far more durable, and on the whole less costly. The bridge is erected upon nineteen tiers of piles, seven in each, and stands about 11.9 above high-water mark. The piles are drhen in an average depth of 11.6, through a bed of saud, and then into a very firm kind of blue clay. The tide rises about 4 feet wilh a sluggish current. The approach from the east bank of the river is very acute, and I fancy will be somewhat trying to our friend Miles and his six-horse team. The Provincial Council have ignored the petition from the inhabitants here for an adequate sum for Beach-street. The sum granted (L305) is most ridiculously small, quite *as much so as that voted for the road through the Government township; L1500 is ample, if the present requirements of the two places are taken into consideration. I have said two, in reality they are bat one, as they abut on each other, and generally their interests are identical. There is, however, this marked difference. One is a town in fact, the other hardly exists except on the Government records. There are but six houses, with a population of seventeen souls, on the line of road where the money is to be spent. Major Kichardson seemed to be ignorant (an ignorance, by-the-bye, in which he was not singular) that the pledge given by the Government that a road should be constructed through the township, had been redeemed. No one ought to have been better informed than the gallant Major on that head, inasmuch so far back as August, 1863, the Government had expended no less a sum than L2200 on this very road that they have agreed to expend L1500. The ignorance of members generally, and the Government particularly, of this fact, made them so callous to the requirements of the inhabitants of West Hawkesbury ; nor are they likely to have their goods sent overland (the Secretary of Public Works' belief to the contrary) at a cost of L4 per ton, while they can have it brought round by water and delivered in the township at 35s. a ton. The Prince of Wales' birthday, Wednesday, 9th instant, is to be observed here as a general holiday, and sports of various kinds is to be the order of the day. A Cricket match between married and single teams, is also to be played ; and as we are able to get a tolerable team together, it will be well contested. This will be the first match of the season here. I trust that the club will keep its members in practice this season, and hope soon to see a match played with you Oamaru folk.