Local Intelligence.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 4, Issue 193, 1 June 1861, Page 5

Local Intelligence.

The Fxoods ob iast Week.— On Wednesday and Thursday, the rain fell in torrents ; and on Thursday night the JWaipureku plain was one vast sheet of water. All day on Friday boats were plying between the houses at Clive, to convey families to Mrs. Fougere's and the one or two other houses not flooded. The quantity of water coming down the two rivers was very great ; and the floor of the Ferry house was 15.inches deep. In the evening the punt was made as secure as possible-^the outer end being slacked off to allow her to lie end on to the current ; having done which the ferrymen, for the safety of himself and family, pulled across the flat to Clive lnlthe-boat. On Saturday morning, Mr. McKinnon saw that the punt had broken away and was lodged on the outside of the present head; he immediately pulled down to the ferry house, and found that the united force of the fresh and the ebb tide bearing on the rope had torn the two posts on the Clive side out of the ground. Fortunately neither the rope nor the posts on the other side gave way, and the punt was, so far, secure, although in a very precarious situation. On Saturday night the waters began to subside, and on Sunday the river was so far down as to permit of passenger traffic by means of the ferry boat. The same day, with the aid of some 20 or 30 volunteers, the punt was hauled back to its position, and on Tuesday it was again in working order although capable of being worked in safety only during the flood tide, The punt is now in a most dangerous situation, for which we have to thank our friends the anaories. No damage so far as we have heard, was done oy the Meanee river, which also greatly overflowed its banks. »

Land Saie.— At the sale of ss. land, held yesterday, all the lots announced for sale were knocked down to the applicants at the upset price. Fatal Accident.— On Saturday last a private of the 14th, named Patrick Maher, was drowned opposite Mr Em-ton's house, between the Royal Hotel and Onepoto. He was intoxicated at the time; and,- having been refused more drink at the Victoria hotel, is supposed to have been on his way to the Royal hotel or some other house, in hopes of getting supplied there. The water was very high, and, the space for walking on being very narrow, as well as rough, he would appear to have missed his footing and fallen in. Miss Burton saw the accident and ran to the spot, but the deceased was not again seen, having probably been at once swept awaybv the strength of the fresh. The body has not been recovered, and is not now likely to be, as it is supposed to have been carried out to sea. The deceased was a fine athletic man and a good soldier; nor was he by any means an habitual drunkard. ■ Steam Communication:— Amemorial,gotupthrough the- mdefatigable exertions of Mr. J. A. Smith, and signed by 177 persons, praying the General Assembly to consider the claims of Hawked Bay to a share in the benefits of inter-provincial steam communication, will be forwarded to Auckland per Storm Bird.