Local Intelligence.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 2, Issue 58, 30 October 1858, Page 2

Local Intelligence.

Sttddek Death. — An inquest was held at Mr. Robjohn's public house, Patangata, on the 13th inst., touching the death of Charles Hayes, labouier, before Or. \V organ Esq., coroner, for YVaipukurau shire, and the under named jury, — Messrs. Ed. S. Cm-ling, (foreman), 1). Gollan, S. Hameling, L. Dunoyer, GK ]3. Worgan, "VV. Henderson, fc>. A. Tiflen, J. Witherow, E. J. Burton, and A. Devereanx. The Coroner observed to the jury that they had a very distressing duty to perform. The odious vice of intoxication had arrived at such a pitch as to be a positive disgrace to the colony. He would be delighted if some means could, be devised for checking this most disgraceful and growing evil. 'He hoped, if no other advantage resulted from this enquiry, it might at least have the moral eifect of inducing some oautiou in the use and distribution of fermented liquors. The jury, on their oaths, were to enquire if the deceased liaa had fair play. If they thought the landlord in any -way liable to censure, in supplying the deceased too freely with liquor, they were bound to state their opinion without fear or favour. Landlords were not bound to supply their customers with drink, beyond what they thought right ; and if the parties were riotous, had full authority to eject tnetii from the premises. Indeed, landlords could not be compelled to supply their customers with anything more than board and lodging, and food for their horses ; and were liable to deep censure and also penalties if they permitted a disorderly house. The Coroner was of opinion that with a widely scattered population, all landlords should be sworn in as special constables, with power to call to their aid any persons employed by them to assist in preserving peace and order. He feared tliat in many instances the liquors supplied to the working classes were most scandalously drugged, and the consumers as little better than slowjy poisoned. Such pernicious practises should be punished with the utmost severity of the law. He urged the jury to scrutinise this matter most carelully and to put any questions to the witnesses that were calculated to elicit the truth. The following witnesses were then called : — John Eobjohx, publican, being sworn, stated — "J know, and can swear, to the identity of the deceased as Charles Hayes ; the said Charles Hayes arrived at my house about three weeks since. He boarded and lodged at my house ; when he arrived he appeared in health, but weakly. I have no grog account booked against him, he paid for nearly all the grog he had; he had about five .pounds in money when he came. I charged Mm about thirty, shillings a week for his boai'd. There were several other parties drinking at the . house at the time. Charles Hayes was staying here ; he might drink four glasses before dinner, four or five glasses after dinner, and as many more in tho evening. He laid down in the afternoons occasionally. I several times told him he had had enough, and refused to .supply him with more ; on Friday last especially I told him to clear out ; I did not refuse him because he had no money,. but because I thought he had had enough." By a juryman. — "Up to (Saturday he hadi a tolerable appetite, — the sawyers frequently treated him. He was taken ill on Sunday evening. I observed a sore under his arm ; he complained of pains in ■ his shoulders and in his side; he- became insensible. He did not speak after Sunday evening; he had no appearance of being otherwise than sober on Saturday night". — : Edwakd\Lyon in his .evidence corroborated the statements made by the : first.witness. — The- jury haying Tetired and consulted, the foreman delivered the following verKdiclyr^lhatithe deceased; died from; continued excesses in drinking,— but we exonerate Mr. Robjohn, considering that. he used all due precaution iiuder the circumstances. \ . '- -■ '.'='" Saie BT;iAucii(^.-^?ltt cpnseqiaence of an error in has requested us to state Grasstekes i place on Mondayincxt, ;' ■.- : ." \ :.-.\£>;&>*<fg£i;.

A Building Society would be a great acquisition to the inhabitants of Napier, many of whom, in the effort to erect a homestead, would be glad of that assistance which these societies are so well calculated to afford. "We have observed the operation of these societies in other places, and can testify to the advantages whicb"they : confer upon a young coramunity— at once stimulating the ef-foTts-of the'industripus and advancing the town or district over which their operation extends. We should be glad if the working men of Napier — for they are the class chiefly interested — would consider this matter, with a view to ulterior steps being taken, should such be deemed advisable. Anontmotxs Lettebs, having reference to individuals, in other than a political capacity, prove to be a prolific source of ill-feeling ; while their tendency is to lower the tone of the press and diminish its usefulness. The conductor of the "Herald" is constrained, in consequence, to decline for the future the insertion of all such correspondence, except on the condition that the jreal name of the writer be at the disposal of the party or parties to whom personal reference is made. Although this determination has not been arrived at without reluctance, he believes it to be a most salutary one in a moral point of view, and trusts that the readers of the "Herald" will support him. in carrying it out. Laxd Sale.— Of the block of 10,000 acres open for selection on Tuesday last, we learn that 1160 were taken up on that day by Capt. Carlyon, and the amount (£580) paid to the District Commissioner. Tills sum is beneath what we anticipated, and the loss, therefore, in the event of any delay in our getting separation, will be less serious than we had supposed. We have heard that the Bame gentleman proposes applying for the remainder of the block to be put up as five.-shilliri»;-knd. Sudden Death oj? a Native. — On JVlonday last, a native well known in Napier, named Ho-t-one, was found dead in his wl/are adjoining Tarelia's pah. His wife went to the pah, leaving him apparently in good health; on her return, after being absent an hour or two, she found him. quite dead. The Overland Mail from Auckland is due on Monday next. The return mail will close on Wednesday at 2 o'clock p.m.