Local Intelligence.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 3, Issue 132, 31 March 1860, Page 5

Local Intelligence.

Kesident Magistrate's Court. — March 27. McConachy v. Smith. The defendant kept possession of the plaintiff's tools on the ground that he owed for board and lodging, and this was an action to recover them — the plaintiff disputing the correctness of the claim. Defendant ordered to give up the took and pay costs (10s. 6d.) Dunn v. 'Elliot. Suit for £17 18s. 6d., wages as cook and steward — plaintiff having been discharged by Capt. Elliot and paid by an order on Bichardson and Charlton, which they refused to honor, on the ground that plaintiff had engaged to proceed to England. Judgment for amount claimed and costs. March 29. — John Master son was fined 10a. for drunk and disorderly conduct. Maech 30. — McNalty v. Allen. This was an information against the defendant for malicious injury, by throwing a stone at a window in the premises of plaintiff. The matter was settled out of court, and the case dismissed, with a caution to defendant. The late eiee. — On Saturday last an inquiry was held at Marshall's hotel before Thomas Hitchings Esq., and a jury, into the circumstances attending the late destruction by fire of the stables occupied by the Messrs. Cameron. The witnesses who were examined failed, however, in throwing any light upon this mysterious subject ; so that the jury had no alternative but to return as a verdict that there was not sufficient evidence to shew the origin of the fire. They added, however, the following rider — the only dissentient being the foreman (Mr. Boorman) : — " That the coroner be requested to communicate with the proper authorities to point out to them the necessity of providing proper means of extinguishing fires, and that the town be provided with a night watchman." Laud ioe Selection. — A proclamation appeared in a Provincial Government Gazette, published yesterday, and also appears this morning in our advertising columns, to the effect that part of the Tikokino block, on the Ruataniwha plains, estimated to contain 7300 acres of level land, also the Okawa block, estimated to contain 10,577 acres of agricultural and non-agricultural land, will bo open for public selection on and after the 7th of May next. A Pbovincial GovEEiranan: Gazette, published yesterday, contains 1, the harbor regulations for the port of Napier ; 2, a notification of tho appointment of Mr. Thos. Murray as harbour master ; 3, several customs returns for the. quarter ended 31st Dec. last ; and,4, return of land sales for the month of January. The whole will be transferred to the columns of next " Herald ; " meanwhile, any person so desirous, injy purchase a copy of the " Gazette" at this office.''

In our first page will be found the startling news from Taranaki brought us by the "Wbnga Wonga" via Nelson and Wellington. We are disposed to think that there is some exaggeration in the accounts which have thus reached us ; for it is scarcely credible that in one night, a fortification could be erected of sufficient strength to withstand a bombardment of 7 hours ; and it does not appear that Capt. Johns of the "Airedale" had much time or opportunity to obtain accurate information. However, there can be little doubt that a blow has been struck — that first blood I has been drawn ; and that the fair province | of Taranaki has by this time tasted of the horrors of war. Her position is indeed an unfortunate one ; and her prospects of the gloomiest kind. There is but one bright spot in the future, arising out of the certainty that the vigorous measures now being taken to punish the disaffected, must ultimately result in that peace and tranquillity ■to which the settlers of Taranaki have long been strangers. But, alas ! how much personal suffering may be endured, and how many ruinous losses sustained, before so devoutly -to-be-wished a consummation can be brought about. For the struggle bids fair to be a protracted one ; the wily Maori will baffle and harass ; but will keep a long distance between himself and the cold steel of the 65th. No chance, we fear, of ending the struggle by a charge of bayonets, but much probability of an inactive yet toilsome winter campaign. Our Council has expressed its sympathy with our unhappy fellow colonists, and its satisfaction at the vigorous policy of His Excellency. The address indicates good taste and right feeling. But the time may shortly come when something more than sympathetic addresses will be required of vs — when aid of a more substantial character will be demanded of every true heartl ed colonist.