TOLOGA BAY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1067, 29 April 1882, Page 2

TOLOGA BAY.

[from OUR OWN correspondent]. In sending away my report of the race meeting on the 10th inst, I omitted one or two items, which 1 now correct. Firstly', Mr M. G. Nasmith kindly acted as handicapper for the Handicap Hurdle Race, and Messrs Fitzgerald and Gillies filled the position for the others. Mr Fitzgerald also acted as starter in one or two races, in which Mr Jno. Trimmer having horses running preferred not to start the race.

We in Tologa had a grand sight of the Aurora Australis, the time during which it was visible being about three hours, commencing shortly before 7 o’clock and lighting up the heavens with a soft, gentle hue, it gradually increased in brilliancy, until a grand spectacle was before beholders, then fading slowly away for a short time, it re-appeared, commencing with brilliant streaks of soft light, which became more and more impregnated with roseate hues, finally deepening into a gorgeous red, which extended far up into the heavens. The whole spectacle was increased in grandeur by the presence of dark clouds, and the mountain ranges which contrasted most strikingly with the back ground of glory, and caused a sight which will long be retained in the memory of all who had the good fortune to behold it. The Resident (?) Magistrate’s Court was opened for business on the 19th inst., but owing to the confusion and uncertainty which surrounded the date of sitting, not half the cases were heard. Surely there should be some means adopted by which a Court sitting only so seldom as once in three months, could notify with certainty the date of its sittings. The inconvenience to the public is very great and the delays, to say the least, vexatious. At the close the R.M. said, “ This Court now stands adjourned until the 25th April, but it will not meet on that date, but it will be adjourned from time to time as the Clerk may receive instructions." There were only a few cases disposed of, and of not much importance, but one thing I specially noticed. There were three or four charges against Maoris ; the indictment was read in Maori, the evidence taken in the same language, and the judgment also given in Maori. This is the .first time 1 have ever been into an English Court of Justice in which the language adopted was other than English. The s.s. Rosina came into the river on Sunday morning, but she was not successful in getting to the anchorage without a very severe bumping. About eight o’clock she left her anchorage outside, and steaming across the bar, came to the. entrance of the river, where the Channel is very narrow. Just at the time a heavy sea came

rolling in, her rudder chain broke, and the sea striking her heavily on the stern, drove her ashore. For two hours and A half, despite all the exertions of the crew, she remained aground, the rising tide only lifting her further and further away from deep water. The wind and sea were both helping to keep her ashore, and the only chance seemed to be to get her head round, so as to get the wind to work on her sails, and an anchor out to heave on to keep her into her element. The tide had now turned, and it seemed a hopeless case with her for some hours unless outside help could be obtained. Accordingly the whale boat was launched, and proceeded to the scene, but just at the moment of its arrival at the vessel’s side a heavy sea came rolling in, the wind caught the sails, and she glided into deep water. Whatever may be the state of her engines and gear, is must be manifest she must be pretty sound in the hull, or she would never have stood the rough handling she endured for the two and a half hours —seas breaking right over her, and bump, bump on the sand with every swell. Mrs. Williams and her little ones, who were passengers, were drenched by the heavy seas, but I have not heard that either they or the steamer are any the worse for their Sunday morning’s experiences. The steamer left for the Coast on Tuesday morning, after discharging cargo for this place, and taking in a small shipment of merchandise.

The first polling under the new Licensing Act did not seem to awaken much interest in this part. 1 understand only five persons considered it worth while recording their votes. Several voters remained quiet, thus intending, by their silence, to shew their contempt for the measure.