LATEST NEWS FROM NAPIER.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 337, 29 August 1868, Page 3

LATEST NEWS FROM NAPIER.

The Napier correspondent of the Wellington Advertiser gives the following particulars of the recent engagement in Poverty Bay between a party of our Colonial Forces and the escaped Chatham Island prisoners:— " The Forces marched on the 6th August, without horses, to try to overtake the enemy, and took rations for three days. The force mustered 130 strong. On Saturday, the Bth, they overtook the enemy, who were fully equal in numbers, and were strongly posted in difficult gorges of the Rua-ri-ture river. The men were hungry and tired, but on seeing the enemy they begged to proceed. At three o'clock they engaged the enemy for two hours, and drove them out of their first position. Our men were obliged to draw off before sunset, as they had several wounded. The enemy broke up in haste after the action, and by daylight had retreated far up the gorge. Our forces would have attacked them again next day, but could not for want of food. The enemy have lost heavily, as many were shot in front, at very close quarters, when trying to charge our advanced guard. The Napier natives behaved better than any other Maoris who have fought for the Government during this campaign. If the Tauranga Volunteers had been with our troops, we should have completely destroyed the enemy." The Independent of August 18th, gives the following:— " Napier, August 17. "Despatches have been received from Colonel Whitmore to-day. The battle was fought at a place nine miles from the Uriwera boundary. There were five killed, and five wounded, one of whom has since died. The wounded reached Wairoa on Thursday. " Colonel Whitmore has gone to Poverty Bay to bring round the Waipara.

" Ifc is a bad thing that the dead were left behind. '• Humors continue to be received at Napier of a large party of Uriweras having their rendezvous in the direction of Ruuanga, in the Taupo country. It is not certain if such a body of men be there, that their intentions are at present hostile to the Europeans, but means have been adopted by the Government to obtain accurate information,

" Captain Corbett, who went to Taupo for information of the state of affairs there, has not yet returned. He is hourly expected. " The militia have been called out for inspection of arms."

The appointment of Mr Lowe as District Engiueer has already begun to bear good fruit. The Caledonian track has been carefully gone over by him, and is now to be kept in repair by Mr Maloney at £25 per month. A tender for £l4 was given in, but it was obvious that the work could not be done for that sum, and the tenderer subsequently withdrew his offer. The same officer has also been over the Addison's track, and under the spur of his presence the Shamrock track is being finished quickly and well. Yesterday he inspected the river protection, but whether he was satisfied with the experiment as at present tried we cannot say. At all events, he has had the opportunity of witnessing the effect of high tides on the works, and will be able to bring practical experience to bear on his more scientific knowledge. Whether any change will be made on the existing plan remains to be seen. " An Experienced Miner " writes as follows to the " West Coast Times " :—The Thames Goldfields consist of quartz-reefs, and you must be perfectly aware, Sir, that a gold field of this kind requires a great amount of capital and preseverance to work it profitably. Quartz gold fields are generally sandstone, or strata of earth, that require to be worked by powder, hammer, and drills, unless the reef that you intend to prospect crops out of the surface. You may have to work for six or twelve months,

and to do this you must have a considerable amount of capital. The news received tells us that many people have sold claims for many thousands of pounds ; and the same intelligence informs us that the ground is taken up for many miles. If the ground is only taken up for teu claims, the miner who strikes the reef under three or six months is a lucky one, unless the reef crops out at the surface. My experience at Wood's Point, Dunolly Creek, Cluues, and Tumut, (the first three in Victoria, the other two in New South Wales) has taught me —and many of the men now i ushing away have also had experience on some of these goldfields—of the fact that a quartz goldfield is a trying one for the most persevering miner ; and where one is paid for his labor, there are hundreds that do not get a sight of the reef that they have worked hard for months in order to get at. With this knowledge before them, what are the miners leaving the West Coast for ? I wish to ask them the following questions, and, if they are able to answer them satisfactorily, of course they would be wrong to remain on the Coast : —" Are you prepared to prospect at the Thames Gold Field for six or twelve months, as in order to do this you must have money for six months' tucker, powder, drills, gads, and other necessaries? Are you prepared to lose twelve months' time and money, and then, after all this expenditure, probably never see the reef at all ?" Ask yourselvs these questions; think of your previous experience in quartz producing countries, and if you still intend going I hope you may never have to say to, yourselves —we wish we had taken more notice of the warnings we have had.

A Singular Incident. —Ascending the mountain road between Dublin and Wicklow, while the Trince and Princess of Wales were proceeding to view the beautiful scenery at " Powerscourt Waterfall," " The Dargle," &c, the royal party was met by a funeral. The mourners soon recognised the Prince and Princess, and immediately broke into a vociferous hurrah for the royal favorites, much to the astonishment of the royal party, who, accustomed to the solemn and lugubrious decorum of English funerals, were not prepared for an outburst of Celtic enthusiasm upon such an occasion. A remark being made on the oddity of a hurrah at a funeral, it was replied that the corpse would have cheered lustily too, if he could. — Court Journal.

We quote the following curious statement from the Sydney Mjorniiig Herald, : —From the records of the City Coroner's office, it appears that during the past five years no less than 27 adult persons have been found dead in the district of Sydney, without any clue having been obtained as to who or what they were. Nineteen of this number met their death by drowning, either in the harbour or the Parramatia or Lane Cove rivers. Three of the others were found dead in the bush—one at Bondi, one at George's River, and one on the Liverpool Road. The other four died within the city, three from apoplectic fits, and the fourth from exhaustion, produced by want and self-neglect. Out of so large a number of" disowned " persons, it is not improbable that in most instances those best acquainted with them have very cogent reasons for not identifying them. It has been suggested that identification would be facilitated if placards containing the description of the deceased persons were posted in conspicuous places, such as is now done with regard to murderers, &c. This might not lead to the identification in every instance ; but the suggestion does not seem altogether unworthy of consideration by the Government.

It is reported that another change in arrangements will take place, and that instead of the affairs of the Coast being administered by local heads of departments, a successor to Mr Kynnersley will be appointed. We sincerely hope this is not the case. At the time Mr Kynnersley was made Commissioner the appointment was greatly needed, and to it in fact we owe a large proportion of our present prosperity. Since then, however, we have had all the machinery of Government set in motion in our midst, the latest and one of the most useful additions being a District Engineer, and a Commissioner really now is not needed. In times past Mr Kynnersley united in himself the magisterial, police, warden, and Crown lands functions, but now we have distinct heads of these, with legal departments in addition, and a Commissioner would be just as much use as the fifth wheel of a coach. Even if we make no further advance towards self-government, which is scarcely conceivable, such an officer is a superfluous luxury we do not need under our present circumstances.

The news fiom Giles' Terrace and indeed all the northern diggings is very satisfactory, and daily evidence of the wisdom of the late important decision as to ground in this neighborhood is being furnished. Gold was struck on Saturday last in this quarter, and of a highly payable eharacter. There cannot he the slightest doubt that one of the largest and most remunerative fields that has ever been opened on the Coast will be, or rather has been found in this locality, and that disticnt leads run through all the terraces is a question set at rest beyond all doubt. At the same time parties at a distance must distinctly understand that these are not " poor man's diggings" for the work is hard, and sometime must elapse before those setting in can expect a return. On the other hand, the lucky holders of prizes in this mining lottery have some eighteen months' or two years' profitable employment before them, at from £lO to £3O or even more a-week per man. At Giles' Terrace Evans and party are busy, and will soon wash. A great many are actively engaged in providing substantial huts for themselves as they are now assured of payable work for some time to come. A very good suggestion has been made in reference to filling the protection piling on the river bank, instead of continuing the plan that has been commenced. As it is, the thin sand washes very readily through the fascines and will continue to do so, we believe, in addition to which, the filling is being taken from Jthe North Spit which is itself being now actually washed away, a process which this removal cannot do other than assist. It is quite certain that the shoal of shingle or boulders that has formed on the south side of the river, nearly opposite where the old sawmill stood has been the chief cause of the current directing its force against the northern bank. If a large flat-bottomed scow was constructed, shingle could be taken from the shoal and conveyed over without the least difficulty, at low water, and could be discharged where needed. This would not easily wash through the fascines whilst its removal would make an opening on the other side, that the current might possibly act on and assist in destroying the obstruction. The flat could easily be worked, and might be built to carry any quantity thought desirable. The difference would be this. As it is, we are taking away what the sea is already greedy for, and literally assisting in our own damage if not destruction, whilst the material we are using is not fit for the purpose we are putting it to. On the other hand we should be lessening, at least, a source of actual danger, and at the same time obtaining material that is in every way adapted for the object in view. Surely there can be no two opinions as to which is the most desirable course to pursue, and we should think our District Engineer would see to it.

Land under agricultural leases is being rapidly takenud along the Orawaite river. One of thirty acres has been applied for and we believe granted to Jackson and party, and one of a similar area is being surveyed this day on the application of Mr Long. Other applications are about to be made, and we may shortly look for quite an agricultural settlement in this direction. On Saturday evening Mr Sheahan of the Nelson hotel, added to the attraction of his dance room by the engagement of Prank Leathwood, formerly of the Christy Minstrels, and Johnny Burgess the celebrated step dancer. Both these well known artistes varied the amusements of Saturday evening by singing, dancing, &c.,. and their performances gave the greatest satisfaction to all present. "We may say that the room was crowded, and that as hitherto admission was free.

The Otago Daily Times has the following : —A fatal accident on the Otepopo beach, is reported, Mr. Nathan Young, farmer, having been killed, by the accidental discharge of a gun. We have been supplied with the following particulars, from an account sent in by Police Sergeant Buller. Mr. Toung, with his son, aged 19 years, George Henry Sperry, who is a farm servant, and a man named Alexander M'Kenzie, went towards the beach on Sunday evening, for the purpose of shooting ducks. There were but two guns carried, one by Mr. Toung, and tho other by his son. On reaching a lagoon, where it was expected to find some ducks, the son gave his gun to Sperry for a shot. Mr. Toung went on in advance of the others, Sperry coming next, and the others being 20 yards behind. Mr. Young and Sperry commenced creeping along on their hands and knees, and Avhile the former was about 10ft. ahead, Sperry's gun exploded, and its charge of heavy duck shot was lodged

in Mr Youngs back, immediately under the left shoulder blade. The unfortunate man sprrng up,exclaiming VMy God ! you've shot me." His son and the others rushed to hiin ; he fell into his sou's arms ; and, saying only, " Joe, I'm shot," he died-. Information was, as soon a given to the police, and they caused the body to be removed to the Crown Hotel, Otepopo, where an iuquest was to be held yesterday afternoon. The deceased was formerly a carrier, but for four years he has worked a farm of his own, near the Otepopo township. He has left a widow and Seven children. —Sperry has been in the employment of Mr. Young for four and they were on the most kindly terms with each other. Sperry states that he was carrying his gun at halfcock ; but it is supposed that, unknown to him, it was at full cock. When the accident happened, the party were going through thick flax ; and it is thought that, at the instant the gun exploded, the deceased was rising from his creepiug attitude, so as to get a sight of the surface of the lagoon, over the flax.

The " Grey Eiver Argils!"' has the following, and. the recommendation is equally applicable to those receiving relief at Westport. We hope many will follow Hansen's example.—"A little incident occurred on Thursday in connection with the Grey Eiver Hospital, which deserves to be noticed from its rarity. About eight months ago a man named Ernest Hansen was admitted as a patient, when he was informed that he would have to pay at the rate of thirty shillings per week while in the hospital. At the end of three weeks he was discharged, but as he stated that he was destitute, he left without making any payment. On Thui'sday evening last however Hansen called on Dr Morrice, and paid him the £4 10s he had promised to do when he left the hospital eight months before. We commend this example to the attention of the many patients who have been restored to health by the medical attendance and comforts they received in the hospital, who are now in the receipt of wages, and many in good claims throughout the district.

"We are informed that Luke and party, who recently lost the case they brought against Nicholls, {Perry, and party at Griles' Terrace, have resolved on appealing to the District Court, after having unsuccessfully applied for a re-hearing in the Warden's Court. The necessary preliminaries have either been or are about to be taken we understand, and if this is the case it is to be hoped that by waiving some of the forms usual on these occasions, his Honor may be induced to hear the appeal at once. The subject is one of the gravest moment to Westport, as well as to the parties concerned, for the case under ordinary circumstances cannot be heard for some three mouths, and in the meanwhile the terrace, which it is now known contains gold, will be virtually shut up. If an early hearing cannot be, possibly his Honor might direct something to be done, such as a receiver to be appointed that would allow work to proceed. Better than all however, would be to have the matter somehow or other disposed of at once, and we feel sure that his Honor would with his accustomed consideration, meet the legal gentlemen employed in any way that he could lawfully do so. We are of course presuming that our information is correct, and that an appeal has been decided on.

During the late dry weather a great deal of illness arose, occasioned in a great measure by the abominable water that people were compelled to drink, and when the summer sets in we may of course expect a repetition of the same in an aggravated degree, from the greater probable amount of dry weather. Even the well water in many places, is quite unfit for drinking purposes, for the shafts are sunk frequently in places where numbers of cesspools are m the immediate proximity. The consequence is, their deleterious drainage fiods its way to the well, and though its filtering has deprived it of its immediately offensive properties, the water is actually poisoned for drinking purposes. This is especially the case where the location is sandy soil, and it would be advisable for well proprietors to see to this. After the last wet summer, it is more than probable that we shall have a very dry one, and if this is so, provision cannot be too soon made for a full supply of wholesome water during its continuance.

Not Particular.—An American editor noticing the present of a silver cup to a contemporary, says :—" He can drink from any vessel that contains liquor, whether from the neck of a bottle, the mouth of a pickle jar, the spike of a keg, o? the bung of a barrel."

I MASSA.O \i E0 F QUENCH ]3Y JAPANESE. In the bay of Osaka, neat* lliogo, in the Japanese seas, a boat 8 crew from the French ship Dupleix Went ashore, one day early in March, to bring off the French consul and the captain, who did not arrive, while the crew were attacked by 200 armed Japanese, and all butchered. The French officers swore to be avenged, and seized all Toza's people and ships in Hiogo, and notified Toza that unless the murderers were given up in fourteen days they would hang the whole forty to the yardattns of the ship. On learning the massacre, the English, Prussian, Dutch, Italian-, and United States Ministers met at the residence of the French Minister at Osaka, and decided by common accord to to leave Osaka* haul down their Hags-, and withdraw their Consuls until satisfaction should have been granted. On the followingday, the Japanese authorities came and declared the massacre inexcusable, and the murderers were placed at the disposal of the French Minister. All the Ministers of the others Powers supported the French demand for reparation by energetic notes. The " Japan Herald" gives the following as the funeral oration praached by M. Lean Roche, the French diplomatic agent, over the graves of the sailors so cruelly murdered : —" My brave lads You have beeii murdered in the most cowardly fashion, without giving auy provocation, and while in the execution of your duty, if your noble officers bad acted on the spur of the moment, you would have been avenged by the destruction of a city, and the death of thousands of inhabitants, They had the rare courage to repress this first desire, feeling that France should reply to barbarism by civilization. But because it is delayed, the reparation will only be the more striking and the more just. I swear to you, in the name of Frauce, and of the Emperor, whose noble sons you were, that your death shall be avenged in such a manner that your comrades and fellow-countrymen shall not be exposed to atracities like those of which yod fell the innocent victims. Ton are with God : —pray him to aid us in our painful task."