Local Intelligence.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 6, Issue 335, 18 November 1862, Page 2

Local Intelligence.

The Drought of the present time is of longer continuance than any we remember some yeara past. New Zealand is not, in general, a sufferer from lack of moisture, hut the present year bids fair to be an exception to the rule. In the Australian Colonies cycles of dry and wet weather are supposed to succeed each other with more or less regularity ; and, this year, we observe, a dry season is predicted. We trust the prediction will not prove to hold good as regards New Zealand also. Already the face of the earth is burnt up by a succession of nor-westers — leaving little or no feed on the natural pastures, threatening the destruction of the hay crops, arresting the growth, of the potato, and withering the verdure of the flower garden. On several occasions a lowering sky and a few drops of rain have promised a grateful supply, but in each case, hitherto, such promises have proved delusive. Lancashire Relief Fund.— lt will be seen from our advertising columns that subscription lists in aid of a Hawke's Bay contribution to the Lancashire Relief Fund lie at several places throughout the town. We cannot count upon a large sum being raised in so small a province, but such an amount should be collected as to shewthat the settlers of Hawke's Bay have the will, at least, to succour their deeply distressed countrymen. It was originally intended to inaugurate the matter by means of a public meeting, but public meetings tv Napier have not of late been so successful in their results as greatly to encourage the idea, and hence it has been abandoned. Perhaps the less ostentatious mode adopted will not prove the less efficient for the attainment of the end in view 1 . A Provincial Government Gazette, published yesterday, contains the rules and regulations of the Napier Gaol ; the Return of land sales for the last month (realizing £715 10s. Id.) ; and an official inquiry as to the whereabouts of one John Hartnett, formerly a private in the 58th.