HAWKE'S BAY.

Colonist, Volume III, Issue 227, 23 December 1859, Page 4

HAWKE'S BAY.

. .. [FronctheSerald, Dtcerriber 3.) :' , On the 26th ult., an inquest was held at Sherley's, Hotel, Napier, before T." Hitchins, Esq., Coroner, and a jury, on the body of Josiah Joseph, a foreigner, who was cook and steward of the " Sea I Serpent," brigantine, Capt. A. Blair. It, appears that the vessel sailed from this port on the 25th ult., and whilst off the Bluff, seeing a boat making for her, fired a gun, which unfortunately burst into pieces, and the poor man was killed on the spot. The evidence adduced was to the effect that the gun was the same which was already used; was in good order, and had repeatedly been fired lately. Moreover, it was the recognised duty of the deceased to load and fire the gun, and he had always done so; that the charge was not excessive, and no flaw had ever been suspected in it. A piece of the gun weighing two and a half pounds was taken from the base ofthe skull of the deceased, after death. The jury returned the following verdict :•—" That the deceased met his death by the accidental bursting of a gun." A public meeting for the purpose of considering the land question, was held on Monday evening at Mr, Ferrers', R. Riddell, Esq., in the chair. The attendance was very large. The principal speakers were the town members and Mr. Triphook, the latter of whom brought forward a series of resolutions, and supported them in a speech of some length. Nothing definite, however, resulted from the meeting—an adjournment, at a late hour, having been moved by Capt. Charlton. "We hope in our next to find room for a report of the proceedings. Mr. Wright, C. E., was a passenger by the "White Swan," for Wellington, on Monday last. He is en route to Sydney, to procure estimates for a steam dredge suited to the requirements of Napier. We learn that Mr. J. N. Wilson, solicitor, has been appointed Crown Prosecutor for the District of Hawke's Bay. The depositions in the case of Mr. Boorman are now in his hands in his public capacity. The New Government buildings are now being commenced upon the survey reserve ; and the hospital is beginning to "loom large" on the top of the hill.