Local Intelligence.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 6, Issue 358, 7 February 1863, Page 3

Local Intelligence.

Another Death from the effects of Hard Drinking. — Our readers — in Auckland especially — will be grieved, although not surprised, to hear of the melancholy end of poor Fleetvvood, the pianist, who was found dead in a swamp on the evening of Wednesday last under the painful circumstances narrated below. An inquest upon the body was held on Thursday, at the Exchange hotel, Havelock, when the folio wing evidence was elicited : — " Thomas Stuart, — I am living at Havelock, a labourer ; I first saw deceased about the 20th of January at Havelock ; I last saw him at Mr. Foster's station about the 21st ; I don't think he was sober ; I left him there. I and he walked together from Havelock to within a mile of Foster's station. He did not seem able to go on and we camped out. He was not sober either day. He drank himself from a small bottle. I drank from my own. I think the contents of his bottle was either brandy or rum. We left Reynolds' about o''6o p.m. I had previously drank with him at Bray's hotel. I left him at the shepherd's house soon after sunrise. Thomas Jenkins, — I am shepherd for Mr. Foster. I remember the deceased coming to my whure about 7 a.m. this day fortnight. I went to breakfast at Mr. Foster's. He refused to go with me, but turned over the. hill towards the Gorge. After breakfast I went and spoke to him. He was lying down about a quarter of a mile from Mr. Foster's house. He got up, after again refusing to go with me to Mr. Foster's, and went with me to the Gorge. He then again laid down ; it was then S'3o a.m. I saw nothing more of him that day. I next saw. him about 7 a.m. next day. He was with Mr. Foster, going towards the house. I did not see him again until evening. He was then in the house. He appeared a good deal better. He slept at Mr. Foster's two nights. The last time I saw him was on Saturday week last at G o'clock. He was walking fast towards Havelock. Robert Foster. — I am a sheep-farmer. I first saw deceased this day fortnight lying at the Gorge, between 7 and S a.m. He said he was very poorly ; had slept out two nights ; and was on his way to Mr. Couper's. He returned with me to my house ; on the way he was vomiting a good deal. He was offered some tea, which he rejected. He remained at my house until Saturday, the 24fch of January. He left on that day for Havelock. He ate nothing during his stay with me but a small piece of biscuit. His vomiting ceased the first night. He seemed very uneasy the last night, wandering a good deal.,- I don't think he was sound-minded when he left me. He asked foT grog that morning, which I refused. He complained of seeing visions. He talked a good deal, and incoherently. Francis William Parker,— l live in the employ of Captain Marsh. Yesterday evening (6 a.m.) I was driving the cows through a swamp. I suddenly smelt a bad smell. On searching I came against a dead man ; he was lying on his back with one hand across his chest. He was black, and very decomposed ; he was not recognizable. I told Mr. Corbyn and my master, both of whom immediately went. James Home, — I live with Mr. Reynolds, Havelock. I knew deceased. I identify the clothing. He told me he had his tuning instruments with him, which have been since found in his pockets. His,cardcase, containing his name, was also found. There is no possible doubt that the deceased is Mr. Fleetwood, who played foriMr. Thatcher." The jury thereupon returned a verdict of " Found deadi^L The deceased^ on his first arrivalin Auckland about six years ago, occupied a very respectable place in his profession, and was for some time pianist to the Choral Society there. . His ability -was un : doubted, but he gradually lost his position through habits of intemperance. Latterly, he was employed in Napier by Thatcher, who would gladly have taken him south, and given him, good re-., muneration, could Fleetwood have been ■ at, alldepended upon. It is deplorable to reflect that so many men of shining talent are a prey to the

besetting vice of habitual intoxication; and thai from this cause so very many persons have, from time to time, lost their lives in this province. % Pobangahau.— The nomination for this district loplc'place' on Saturday last, the ,31st ult. Mr. J,;D. Ormond was proposed by Mr. Davis Oanningf sWqncled by Mr. D. L. Hunter, and declared^torbe duiy. elected. • HA-vmiFs Bay S/rEAii ■Ravigation'Co.— We -ledm with pleasure that the shares in this Company'are being rapidly taken up, and that the scheme has been so favorably received as to induce the committee to recommend to the shareholders the extension of their nominal capital, and the ordering of two steamers. It will be seen from our advertising columns that a meeting of the general shareholders is convened for that purpose on Friday next.