Untitled

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 8, Issue 607, 6 May 1865, Page 4

Committal. — The two. men,' Mulcahy and Smith, whose examination -rot.-.,, a charge of robbery took place on Wednesday last, were committed fpr trial on Thursday, ' The evidence of William Whitwell, the chief witness, was to the following effect: — "I reside at Napier-; I have been working atMangakuri. On Sunday last I came to Napier in the morning. About 11 o'clock on the morning of that day I was walking along the road from Mr. Campbell's public house, with the two prisoners, where I had treated them. We had a little argument and I took off my coat to fight Mulcahy, and the other ran away with my coat. When he had got a few yards away from me, I saw him take my purse out of the coat pocket — that is, Edward Smith. I was rather tlie worse for liquor at the time. I cannot say what amount was in my purse, but I believe it was £5 or £6. I came from Dyett's public house at Clive on the morning in question. I had been drinking there." He also stated that, when Smith ran away, Mulcahy held him and prevented his following. Several other witnesses were examined, all more or less confirmatory of the assault and robbery. — Herald, April 8. The Hau Hau,— rA section of the hapu residing at Matahiwi, (the place of the late Moananui) as well as a hapu living near the Pakupaku, have embraced the Hau hau faith and set up a pole, with all the paraphernalia of this abominable idolatry. — Ibid. Volunteers for Wairoa. — Volunteers, thirteen we believe in number, were yesterday supplied with arms. Their destination is understood to. be Wairoa. The erection of a stockade there has been sanctioned by the local government, in which the arms recently sent will be deposited for safety, and where the volunteers will remain, for the present, as a guard. — Ibid. Puketapu School, under the charge of Mr. P. Hardie, was opened on the 3rd inst., with an attendance of 22 scholars, which has since increased to 30.' In consequece of the schoolhouse not being built, the children meet for the present in one of the rooms of the commodious dwelling house erected for the teacher ; but it is to be hoped that, for the benefit and convenience both of teacher and taught, the schoolhouse will soon be erected. Thus, by unwearied and praiseworthy effort, the people of this district have brought within their reach that inestimable blessing — the means of education for their children. May the new school go on and prosper. We are glad to learn that, for the benefit of the young men of the district, an evening class will soon be opened. — Herald, April 13. The Health of the Town. — Much sickness prevails at present in Napier. An epidemic, which assumes the form of an ulcerated throat, has been generally prevalent. It attacks both old and young, and, among the latter, has terminated fatally in several instances. — Ibid. Supposed attempt at Suicide.— Yesterday, a message came to town that a man residing at Clive, named Thomas Ewart, had poisoned himself. Dr. Brown went out, and, on arrival, administered an emetic, which seemed to have the desired effect. Some have it that the whole affair was a pretence on the man's part, but, if so, he has paid somewhat dearly for his fun, he having been given into custody on a charge of attempting to commit suicide. He is now in the lock-up, Napier, and the case will come on for hearing this morning. — Ibid. [The man was subsequently discharged, no evidence being adduced against him.] ' Military Settlers. — Serjt.-Major Scully proceeded to Auckland last evening, by the Star of the South, for the purpose of enrolling additional military settlers for this Province. — Ibid. Immigration. — It will be seen from our shipping columns that another batch of assisted immigrants, including a considerable number of single women, are now on their way to the province. We are glad to learn, also, that a trained 'teacher is being brought out under the auspices of the government. — Herald, April 15, Illegal Branding. — At the Resident Magistrate's Court, on the 13th inst., William Burton charged Henry Alley, of Meanee, for that he, the said Henry Alley, within the space of two months now last past did brand a certain bull rising two years, the property of the said William Burton, contrary to the provisions of " An Act to provide for the Branding of Cattle, Sess. 4 No. 13, of the Province of Wellington." The evidence in this case was very voluminous, a great number of witnesses being examined. The defendant was convicted in a penalty of £10, and £2 4s. 2d. costs, which was paid at once. The plaintiff then claimed by a civil suit, the bull in question, or the sum of £15 in lieu thereof. Judgment was given for the plaintiff for the amount claimed, and £3 15s. costs ; but if the defendant return the bull to plaintiff and pay his costs, £3 155., satisfaction to be entered. Defendant paid the costs on the spot, and promised to return the bull. — Ibid. Arms. — The Lady Bird brought from Auckland, this trip, one hundred and forty three stand of arms consigned to His Honor the Superintendent. — Herald, April 18. The Prevalent Sickness. — A melancholy addition tp the prevalent mortality will be found in our obituary of this morning — two fine children having been cut off during the one night. — Ibid. Dead Body Found. — On Thursday morning information was received by the police that Mr. Morecroft had discovered a dead body in a lagoon on the western side of the harbour. It was in an advanced state of decomposition, and was much mutilated. Yesterday, the police , went over with a shell for the purpose of bringing the remains to town, when an inquest will be held upon them, probably this morning. The discovery at firsjj created some sensation — the rumour of the trunk being headless having associated itself in the public mind, not unnaturally, with the proceedings of the Hau hau. The state of the body, however, is no doubt ascribabletothe length of time it has been in the water, exposed the while to the attacks of vora- /

cious fish. It is questionable whether the body can be recognised ; but there is little doubt of its being that of a man named Fitzpatrick, who has been missing some three weeks — without, strange to say, a whisper even of the fact having appeared in the public prints. This man, it appears, has made two attempts to commit suicide in Napier. On One occasion (last year) he was committed For the offence, and, after being a lengthened period in gaol before trial, received a nominal sentence from His Honor the Judge. -He has since, we understand, made another attempt to cut his throat, but the attempt was frustrated. About a six weeks ago he came to town from Mr. Herrick's station, Kereru, where he had been shearing, and immediately commenced drinking very hard. About three weeks ago he left the house of one Thos. Smith on the Spit, he being then supposed .to be in a state of delirium tremens, and he has not been seen since. On leaving, he made some remark to the effect that there would be no more of this ; and the probability is that he drowned himself that morning, and that the flood tide carried the body in the direction where it was found. This we fear is another addition to the melancholy list of deaths in this province arising from habits of intemperance. — Herald, April 20. Licensing Bench. — The annual licensing meeting was held on Tuesday the 18th inst. Certificates were granted to all applicants for renewals. Two new applications were granted — to Henry Alley for a house on native, land at Tareha's Bridge; and to G. Charlton for his -premises Meanee Spit. Two were postponed — those of Charles M'lntyre and John Robottom. — Ibid. Militia and Volunteers. — By notice issued by Major Lambert, commanding the Napier Militia district, the Militia and Volunteers are again called out for training and exercise. — Ibid. Conviction for Nuisance. — Yesterday, at the Resident Magistrate's Court, Thomas Smith appeared to answer an information charging him with having a common nuisance on his premises in Waghorii-street, such nuisance being occasioned through the exercise by him of a noisome trade, namely, that of a tripeman. A notice according to the provisions of the 3rd clause of the Hawke's Bay Police Act had been duly served, requiring him to abate such nuisance, but the said nuisance remaiued unabated. Hence the present proceedings. The defendant was convicted in a fine of 10s. and 4s. costs, or, in default, three days' imprisonment. — Herald, April 22. Inquest. — An. inquest was held yesterday, at the Spit, before Thomas Hitcbings, Esq., coroner, and a jury, upon a body, the discovery of which on the beach, on the western side of the harbour, between Poraite and Captain Carter's, we noticed in our last. The body, when viewed by the jury, was scarcely recognisable as that of a human being. The head and arms were gone ; the stage of decomposition was past ; the body emitted no smell, and was quite shrivelled up. It had no remains of apparel, except socks upon the feet. A piece of skull and part of an arm bone were found adjoining the body, which was lying on the beach, above high water mark. The evidence of Thomas Smith was taken as to the circumstances connected with the disappearance of the man Fitzpatrick, whose remains these were surmised to be. He arrived at Smith's house some five or six weeks ago, and was never sober while he remaiued. He talked at one time of being tempted to commi'. suicide, and left one night while he (Smith) was asleep. He had no boots" on, and left his cap behind. He had ou socks like those on the body. Witness believed that Fitzpatrick drowned himself that night. Next day a blue shir, was found on the beach, which he had reason to suppose was the property of the missing man. The body, according to the opinion of the coroner, was not that of a man who had been alive five or six weeks ago ; it had more the appeai*ance of having been dead six months. At the same time, he was not prepared to say that a corpse thrown up on the beach and left in the sun would not in a less time than that be dried up as in the present case. With regard to the man Fitzpatrick, there was no evidence whatever to suppose that tbe body was bis ; it might, for anything the jury could tell, be that of a Maori. Nor was it easy to see how Fitzpatrick's body, assuming that he drowned himself, could have been carried in that direction. There was no proof indeed that the person Avhose body it was had been drowned at all. The jury returned the following verdict: — " Found dead at high water mark, and we are unable to identify the body." — Ibid. Military Settlers. — We learn from Auckland that, notwithstanding the tone of the article in " the New Zealand Herald," which we have extracted, Mr. Scully had no difficulty in raising a hundred men for service in this province. It was intended that they should return by the Star of the South, but this vessel not being able to take them in consequence of requiring repairs, the steam yacht Sir John Burgoyne has been chartered to convey them to their destination. — Herald, April 27. Pakowhai. — Another native meeting took place on Friday the 21st inst., at which chiefs from Manawatu and from all parts of the province were present. The tone of all the speeches (which we may publish at another time) was strongly against the Hau Hau On Monday evening Hirini and Wi Tako arrived, and were received by 400 or 500 people. Hirini, we may observe, is highest in rank of any chief on this coast. He and Wi Tako were warmly welcomed, the latter being congratulated upon the success of his mission to Turanga. — Ibid. Hirini Te Kani, when asked at Pa Whakairo why he did not make prisoners of the Hau Hau party when he had the opportunity of doing so, answered that he was mate — meaning by this expression, we suppose, that he was under the influence which the priests of the new religion seem to exercise upon a large number of those with whom they come in contact. — Herald, April 29. Vacancy in the Provincial Council. — It will be seen from our advertising columns that Mr. M. Fitzgerald has resigned hi- seat in the Provincial Council. — Herald, May 2. The Customs Revenue at the Port of Napier

for the month ended 30th April, was £1961 3s. 2d., made up as follows, — 1856 gallons spirits at 125., £1113 16s. 4d,,; 770 lbs. tobacco at 2s. 6d., £96 55. ; fixed duties, £751 Is. lOd. Of this sum, after deducting drawback on supplies to H.M. troops and expenses of collection, the three eighths accruing to the province amount to £735, Bs. Bd.— Herald, M&y 4. The Hau Hau Articles op Faith. — We have been favored with the following extract of a letter from the Rev. Father Grange of Whakatane, who was reported as missing after the murder of the Rev. Mr. Volkner, received by a gentleman in this province : — " My dear confrere, Father Bochieaux, has thought it his duty to leave his post, and I am very doubtful whether I should leave or remain. Six days before the assassination of Mr. Volkner at Opotiki, I was at the point of being torn to pieces by the fanatics of Taranaki in the midst of a general assembly of my people at Ko-peopeo, ! where I was engaged in combating their errors. j There remain but six catholics. at Rangitaiki, five at Opotiki, not one at Otamaura, not one at Te Awa o te Atua, and perhaps none amongst the numerous tribe of the Ureweras. The tribes of Kopeopeo, Nazareth, Whakatane, and Te Waraia, remain faithful. Although you know the doctrines of the Hau Hau, you may read with interest the " articles of faith" Which the fanatics of Taranaki have b_ ought us, and which I have had to refute here — a refutation to which they intended responding by killing me. They may contain something new for you : — Horopapera (Te Ua) and all his adherents have seen with then* own eyes Jehovah, who has said to them, — Ist. What .are called the j Holy Scriptures are only lies. There are no laws given by Gel to man. There will be neither end of the world nor judgment. The end of the world and judgment are the canon of the stranger. 2nd. At the end of the war, when the pakehas shall have been driven away, will take place the resurrection of all the Maories who have died since the beginning of the world. 3rd. Horopapera (Te Ua) will cure such of the lame, the blind, the deaf and dumb, as will become members of his church. These miracles have already been performed in favour of a large number of his followers. 4th. It is good for men to have two, three or even four wives. sth. All must return to the Maori God, and take again and put into force all the " tapus " of former days. 6th. At the end of the world, after the resurrection of the dead, there will be no more pain nor death for the Maori. Heaven is for him ; it is this world transformed and embellished." — Ibid. LiCENsiNG Bench. — The adjourned meeting of the Licensing Bench took place on Tuesday, 2nd May. The following Justices took their seats at 12 o'clock: — Messrs. Curing, R.M. ; Cooper, R.M. ; Anderson, Wilkinson, Catchpool, and Scaly. Subsequently, Major Lambert took his seat on the Bench. Mr. Lee having been heard on behalf of the applicants, Charles M'lntyre and John Robottom, and Mr. S. Begg against the application of the former, the Bench, after retiring for half an hour, decided upon refusing both applications. — Ibid. Morgan, the Bushranger. — The Neiv Zealand Herald, in speaking of the death of this man, says, — " He was shot, as he deserved, like a dog, and he died a dog's death. With such a thirst for blood and plunder, it is unfortunate for Morgan that he was not born a Maori, as in that case he might have gratified his instinct, without fear of any other notice being taken of him, than his promotion to an assessorship. In Australia, however, they reward murderers after another style than in New Zealand — some think after a better one."