Local Intelligence.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 7, Issue 446, 16 December 1863, Page 2

Local Intelligence.

SOTTTHEEN MONTHLY MAGAZINE. — We have to acknowledge receipt of No. ten of this periodical, which, we are glad to perceive, continues steadily to improve. The present number contains some very excellent articles, as well as what must prove very convenient for reference— a New Zealand Army list. In times such as the present, when so many mechanics are engaged in military duty, it is far more than we could possible expect to see so well written and so well printed a serial, and the public will doubtless accept the fact as an indication of what the " Southern Monthly" will become under more favorable circumstances. The serial tale " .ZEgle" is powerfully written but the subject is rather dry. The readers of the Monthly would gladly see something in this department from the genial pen, or at least in the genial style, of the Fakeha Maori.

Man Drowned. — On Saturday night the cook of the schooner Zillah met his death by drowning. He was going off to the vessel, which lay out in the stream preparatory to sailing ; it was late at night (about 11 o'clock) and he had nothing but a frail dingy to go off with. Just as it touched the schooner's side the boat tilted over, and precipitated the unfortunate man into the water. The ebb tide was running strong at the time, and the unfortunate man was rapidly carried beyond the reach of assistance. He was well known on the coast, and much liked.

A Provincial Government Gazette, published yesterday, contains a proclamation that the Provincial Council shall meet for the despatch, of business on Monday, the 18th of January ; another to the effeot that 150 acres in the Waipuna Bush, near Mr. Worgan's late homestead, have been reserved from sale for purposes of public utility; a notification of the election of Mr. Bonsneld as member for the Napier Country District ; copy of circular and resolution emanating from the Shakespeare committee ; and a return of lands sold, &c, for the month of October.

The Council, it will be seen, is summoned for the 18th of next month. We believe that the immediate- objeot of this meeting is to make some verbal emendations in the Loan Bill ; and, owing to the time being an inconvenient one for country members, the Government does not intend initiating general business until a subsequent sitting.