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Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 6, Issue 335, 18 November 1862, Page 3

A False Alarm. — An amusing scene occurred at the time of the departure of the mail steamer, on Wednesday morning last. It appears that the Captain was anxious to leave punctually at half - past eleven with the home mails, and. had given notice to that effect to the Post-office authorities. During the month telegraphic despatches arrived from the Government, urging the post-master and the agent of the steamer to detain the steamer till a special despatch arrived in port. Owing to this cause, the mail hoxes were not put on board at the time appointed, and Capt. Pole determined to hasten matters by starting the steamer, intending to turn back after passing the point. It is more easy to imagine the consternation of the worthy post-master than to describe it, as he stood on the jetty amid a pile of mail boxes, and saw the steamer start at apparently full speed for Otago. The first thing done was to telegraph to Christchurch that the mail was left behind. On receipt of this despatch we hear that there was a general rush among the officials for the Secretary, who, it happened, was not in the way. One proposed to -charter the swift and powerful s. s. Mullogh, which was known to have steam up at the time ; another thought the Geelong was the best chance ; while a third vented imprecations on the post-master, the secretary, and everybody else he could think of. In the midst of this confused council, a second telegram arrived that the Queen had come back, and all was right. Moral : — Why should the Government, having more than three clear weeks to answer their English despatches, drive matters off so long as to be obliged to detain a mail steamer ? " More last words" are allowable enough for young lovers ; but the correspondence between the executive and our matter-of-fact friend Marshman can hardly be of so tender a nature as to require these lingering adieux.r— Lyttelton Times, October. 18. ] The Marlbobotjgh Case. — On Saturday last, i the Marlborough case was brought under the attention of the Supreme Court. Judge Johnston granted the rule applied for, requiring Captain Baillie to show cause why he should not be restrained from exercising the office of Superintendent. The other question affecting the validity of the seats of Messrs. Sinclair and Williams — (the members for the Upper Wairau) — was fully argued on the same day, His Honor taking time to consider his judgment. — Independent, Nov. 4,