HAWERA.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 341, 24 July 1878, Page 2

HAWERA.

(from our own correspondent.) A rather strange circumstance lately occurred here. As Mr Smythe returned to his home one evening, close by the Wesleyan Church, and was making’ preparations for his tea, lie heard the sound of footsteps walking about on some shingles that were lying at his back door. Having several times found on returning home that a raid had been made on the said shingles, he determined this time to try and catch the purloiner. He advanced cautiously and threw open the door, when immediately a revolver was discharged point blank at him, and a person attired in what appeared to be a white waterproof coat made the best of his way up the lane. Mr Smythe gave chase, but lost sight of the fugitive when about opposite the Brewery. He is at a loss to account for the affair, and fancies it must have been a practical joke; even if so, it is time that jokes of this nature were pat down, for had Mr Smythe suffered from any affection of the heart, a sudden shock of this kind might have proved fatal. It is to be hoped that should the offender be discovered, a severe example will be made of him, as a warning to others who are in the habit of discharging fire arms within the Township. As Mr 0. Barrow was riding home last week, his horse fell and rolled upon him. He received some severe cuts about the head, one of his ears being almost severed. He however managed to return to Hawera, and is now progressing on a fair way to recovery. The police are taking active means to put down the dog nuisance, and with so far satisfactory results, but the same cannot be said in regard to the cattle which are still allowed to wander about the streets, in spite of the numerous complaints that have, been made. An Inspector of Nuisances is sadly wanted. Mr' Watts is erecting a large building for carrying on the cabinet making business. As we have already a large establishment of the kind, it looks well

for the district, and we wish Mr Watts every success in his new enterprise. The section mania has not yet subsided, and the really valuable ones that will shortly be put up by Messrs Thomson & McGuire, will no doubt realise large prices, and amply repay them for their plucky venture.