Local Intelligence.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 6, Issue 349, 6 January 1863, Page 3

Local Intelligence.

The Mahla. — With reference to tlie whale fisheries at the Mahia a correspondent thus ■writes : — : " Although the whales have set in earlier this year than usual, nevertheless very little has been done up to now. In the earlier part of this month one of Mr. Morell's headsmen, a native, fastened to a whale, but in doing so the whale cut the nose of the boat off, so that the whale escaped. On the 21st of this month, it blowing at the time a stiff breeze from the south with a rough sea, a school of whales came up the bay, and Mr. S. Harrington, alias Shilo, who is whaling for Mr. J. Morell, succeeded in killing 5 in the .school. Three were brought on shore by Shilo and Morell, and 2 drifted out towards Portland Island, and. were picked up by the natives and ■brought on shore. The 3 whales will make from 4to 5 tuns. I hope by next mail I shall be able to give you a better account of the doings of the whalery. Since writing the above 3 more whales have been captured (to-day) — 2 by Mr. Bartlett's and 1 by Morell's party. — Mahia, Dec. 29. The Nomination at Greenmeadows. — Our contemporary, after quoting our report of the proceedings at the nomination for the Napier Country District, concludes with the remark that in his next he will be enabled to supply " a question and reply which we find of very great moment, but which have been alluded to in the Herald as of a private nature." Now, on again referring to the notes of the meeting, we still think that the question was personal, and fail to perceive that it was one of very great moment. Lest, however, it might be supposed that there is any motive for its omis.-ion, we subjoin the question, asput by Mr. Boustield, and the answer given by Mr. McLean : — Q. Pray what is the reason why you have retired from the administration of native affairs at this crisis, after having been the practical executive of thosfe affairs for more than 14 years, and are now taking part in what may be considered comparatively the insignificant politics of this province. — A. It was quite true that he (Mr. McLean) had to do with the administration of native affairs for a considerable period." The state of his health, after leaving this province in 1859, prevented for some time his taking any active part in those affairs ; and he obtained two years' leave of absence to visit England, which it would be admitted he was fairly entitled to after 18 years service. About this time the Taranaki war, which was a most important crisis in the history of New Zealand, broke out ; consequently he abandoned the idea of going home until the war terminated. He resigned the more political office of Native Secretary, from its ditties being considered incompatible with those of Land Purchase Commissioner — the former office being assumed by the ministry. Subsequently he was requested by the Government to adjust some land questions at Wellington and this Province, which he undertook before, availing of his leave. More recently, in consequence of the unsettled state of the native question, he (Mr. M'Lean) abandoned the idea of going to England, and was induced to remain in this province and use his influence to bring about a settlement of outstanding questions — some of which were now in course of adjustment. Changes of government involved changes in the management of native affairs, hut there was nothing beyond that of being Land Purchase Commissioner — an office which he conceived, if land were required, might be more beneficial than otherwise, that could in any way interfere with his duties as a member of Council. Nomination foe the Town of Napier. — Yesterday, the nomination of members to fill the five vacant seats in the Provincial Council for the Town of Napier, took place in front of the Government Buildings. The Returning Officer having read the writ of the Governor, — Mr. William Miller proposed, and Mr. H. Groom seconded, Mr. James Wood. Mr. F. Sutton proposed, and Mr. J. H. Vautier seconded, Mr. John Alexander Smith. Mr. William Miller proposed, and Mr. R. D. Maney seconded, Mr. Alexander Kennedy. Mr. Henry Groom proposed, and Mr. Brooke Taylor seconded, Mr. William Colenso. Mr. J. B. Ferguson moved and Mr. J. M. Stuart seconded, Mr. John Wilkinson. Mr. John Begg moved and Mr. Charles Oxenbridge seconded, Mr. Thos. Edwards. Mr. Robert Wiggins moved and Mr. F. Sutton seconded, Mr. Thos. Hitchings. The several, candiates: then addressed the electors, but we cannot attempt a report ■of so many .speeches. Messrs. Wood, Kennedy, Wilkinson, .Edwards, and Hitchings, declared themselves in favor of Mr. McLean as Superintendent. Mr. ;<|i>lenßo would. support Capt. Carter if he came forward, but if he did not, would then first ask what Mr. McLean's policy was likely to be. Nor did he, with some of the other speakers, believe Mr. McLean to be the best man for dealing with the natives at this juncture. Mr. Smith was absent at Auckland. Mr. Edwards would go in for town improvements, and believed that the interests of town and country were opposed to each other. Question after question was put to the .^candidates— affording, if reported, matter for half .rifaspaper. Finally, a show of hands was called "for, and decided to be in favour of Messrs. Kennedy, Smith, Colenso, Hitchinga, arid Edwards.

Mr. Wood, as one of those in a minority, demanded a poll, and the proceedings came to a close. . The Natives.— We regret to learn that last week a party of natives stopped the working par 1 * ty on their commencing to make the road between Clive and Havelock, and that Mr. Dyett has, in consequence, thrown up the contract. This act has been justified by Karaitiana in a very discourteous letter to the Superintendent, in which he complains of grievances unsettled. Simultaneously with this act, we understand that Renata has threatened to stop the mail carrier to Maraekakaho — on the ground, we believe, that his (Renata's) tender should be the accepted one for a mail carried over his own land, especially, he says, as the native who has taken it (a Wairoa man) cannot cany it out without his (Renai ta's) assistance. His letter is said to be a very " bouncible " one also. This line of conduct is supposed to be consequent upon a visit from Waikato delegates. The Superintendent has sent for the chiefs in question to jjreason with Jthem upon the impropriety of their conduct. Napier Races. — At a meeting held at Mr. Ferrers' hotel, yesterday, the following gentlemen were appointed stewards for the ensuing races : — W. Rich, Esq., Capt. Harman, 14th regt, W. Parker, Esq.,G. S. Cooper, Esq.. J. D. Canning, Esq. It was resolved' that the races- be held on the sth and 6th March next. An adjournment till Friday next was then resolved upon, for the purpose of deciding upon a programme &c. Thatcher's Concert, on Saturday, at the Spit, was, we believe, well attended. It will be seen from advertisement that he sings this evening at Clive, and that, as he and Madame Vitelli purpose leaving Napier by the Queen on Friday, their last entertainment will be given in the Council Chamber on Thursday next, upon which occasion some fun will be extracted out of the elections. Native Rumour. — A native rumour has been in circulation for some days, to the effect that fighting has commenced on the Waikato. It is scarcely probable that it can be well-founded, but the arrival of the Queen, in a day or two, will let us know. The Drought is now making itself seriously felt over the length and breadth of the province. Bush fires, we understand, are now very prevalent, and great loss of stock and property must result from a much longer continuance of the present weather. Waimarama. — Yesterday, Mr. E. S. Curling was returned without opposition for this district.