Local Intelligence

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XIV, Issue 1024, 21 April 1857, Page 3

Local Intelligence

Local Steam Navig\tion Company. —A meeting of the shareholders was held on Friday last, in the William Denny Hotel— John Salmon, Esq., in the chair. The following report was read by Captain Dakly, and adopted by the meeting :—": — " At the expiration of the first quarter of the year, finding that there was no probability of the Wonga Wonga continuing to pay her expenses, the present subsidy being quite inadaqiiate, we have, in accordance with your resolution passed at a general meeting on the 23rd February last, laid the vessel up, and now submit for your consideration the accounts made up to date as nearly as possible, showing, when everything is finally closed, that the liabilities against the vessel will be as nearly as possible £3500, not tdk.ng into account the unpaid shares ; and we estimate the expenses per month, whilst laid up, inclusive of interest, at £40 per month. Under these circumstances, we recommend that the vessel should be laid up for one -month. At the same time, we request you will empower us at once to communicate with the ndent- and mercantile men of Wellington, Nelson, luicUUlU, and Aliuriri, to ascertain their views of making a general arrangement to employ the vessel between the port 4 - of those Provinces and our own." Some discussion ensued upon a proposal that the Wonga sh ould make a trial trip to the South, by way of the East Coast ; and vaiious suggestions made as to the advantages likely to ensue. The general feeling seemed to be in ta\our of the suggestion, but the meeting was ultimately adjourned til the 4th proximo, when the matter will be more fully considered.

Open Air Concerts. -We have received the following intimation, by direction of Colonel Wynyard, from the band-master of the 58th regiment : —"I *"> directed by Colonel Wynyard to inquest that you will be<rood enough ro announce in to morrow's ' Southern Cross' that the band of H. M. 58th Ilegt. has discontinued its weekly performances in the Government Lawn, for the present. 1 ' The close of the fine season has put an end to this, a* well as to many other amusements But we cannot suffer the occasion to pass, of tendering the thanks of the Auckland public to the Colonel for the ready and willing manner in which he has caused the regimental band to contribute to their pratifiedtion.

Death tkom eating the Tltaki Bprry — On Saturday, an inquest was held at Mr. Biady's Im>i Paninure, before H. J. Andiews>, E*.q., and a jury, upon the body of Michael Malone, a child between 7 and 8 years of ige, then and there l)ing dead. It appeared fiom the evidence that, on Thursday, about 4 o'clock, the deceased *vas out with a girl, between 13 and 14 years of age, named Mary >tt>Lean, who gave her evidence »i'h much dis'inctness; and that, although pieviously cautioned by his patents, he eat of the Tupaki beny. Shortly after returning home, he complained of illness; no surgeon res'des at the village, bui an emetic and other remedies were used, notwithstanding which the lad died at 11 o'clock the same •light. Ou a post mortem examination, the body presented indications of death from poison, but none of the seeds of the berry were to be traced -which, however, may be ac counted for by the fact that the lad had vomited during liis illness. The jury returned u verdict of accidental death. This case, and others which ha\e occurred, should operate as a caution to parents. The fatal berry is now in reason, and to the ignorant or the thoughtless, it might readily present a temptation. Licen ing Day. — We remind publicans and others inteiested, that the annual meeting of the Licensing Bench takes place this day. We believe we are correct in also stating that the attendance of sureties will not be required till a future day. Lynch Law.— On Wednesday last, a Maori named Haerehuka was charged at the Court of the Resident Magistrate with maliciously cutting and maiming a cow, the property of John Sullivan. The prisoner admitted having tomahawked the cow, thinking it belonged to .mother person who, some days before, had set dogs on his (the pusoner's) pigs, and destrojed one of them. Tiie Bench, however, even granting that it had been so, could not recognise the lex tnlionis doctrine, and, much to the prisoners astonishment, committed him on Friday for tiial at the next criminal sessions. Burglary. — On Wednesday last a soldier named Thomas Commons, was charged with this oftence, he having broken into the house of David Morton, between one and two of that morning. The evidence was clear enough, and the piisoner fully committed.