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Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 11, Issue 844, 25 May 1867, Page 3

New Zealand Exhibition. — In noticing, at the time, the various awards of the Commissioners of. the New Zealand Exhibition 1865, we mentioned that a silver medal had been awarded to our fellow-townsman, William Colenso Esq., "for his interesting essays on the botany of the North Island and the history of the Maories, and his numerous exhibits." A short time ago the medal came to hand, and a short description of it will, we are sure, interest our readers. The medal is large, 2^ in. across, and weighing 4^ ounces. On one side, in ihe foreground, central and prominent, is the figure of a New Zealand chief tattooed, _ in full dress Maori costume, — a s handsome bordered New Zealand flax mat thrown loosely around him, and feathers in his hair, with an ancient ornamental staff of rank (taiaha) in his right hand ; a little behind him on his right, is .that remarkable New Zealand bird the Kiwi, and, from the river beyond, part of a war canoe with its carved stern-post appears ; on his left is a plough ; behind him is some Maori carved work, — a New Zealand ornamented clothing mat,— a carved paddle, — a New Zealand flax-plant in flower, — while a fine and graceful ferntree overhangs the centre. The back ground is composed of lofty ragged mountains, having a dense forest of high trees in their front. On the other side, in an outer circle is the following inscription in bold relicf — "New Zealand Exhibition 1865, Honorary, 11 within this is a circle of the well-known quaint maori carving ; and the centre is uniformly divided by regular branches, or leaves, of the New Zealand ferntree into five compartments, in which are, — maize, wheat, barley, the New Zealand flax plant in flower, and a branch of the Kauri pine bearing its cone. The medal, on the whole, ' is exceedingly well executed, particularly the New Zealander,, the fern-tree, the Kiwi, the flax-plant, and the 5 fern leaves (orfronds) which arc really admirable., The raised parts are all "frosted" or '" dead" ; the sky and intermediate open spaces are polished, producing good effect. Queen's Birth Day. — Yesterday, being Her Majesty's birth-day, was observed as a holiday at all the public offices and places of business. The state of the weather, however, was such that the shooting, cricket match, &c, had all to be postponed. A more dismal holiday has not been seen in Napier for a great length of time. Major Fraser arrived overland from Wairoa on Tuesday last. A small detachment of his company of military settlers also arrived, partly, we believe, to play a match at cricket which had been arranged to take place on the Queen's birth-day. Meaneb Church. — It will be seen from advertisement that, in consequence of the inclemency of the weather, the special service announced for to-morrow has been postponed. The Auckland Race Meeting was to take place on Thursday and -Friday, the 23rd and 24th inst. The result will probably reach us on Monday next, the Star of the South being expected tb arrive on that day. - - The Weather, during the week, has been marked by a very heavy rainfall, reminding us of olden days when the rivers flowed over their banks once or twice a year. It commenced on Tuesday, and has rained ever since with but little intermistion. The rivers, however, were previously as low as they well could be, so" we shall not probably hear of any overflow of their waters. This rain will prove seasonable to many, as fitting the soil for ploughing and other agricultural operations. Available Gold Field. —A "Provincial Government Gazette," published on Tuesday last, contains a proclamation offering a reward of £1,000 for the discovery of an available goM field. - Waihua. — Mr. Edmond Lamplough has been appointed ferryman for the above river. Te Waru. — We have the authority of Major Fraser for saying that Te Waru did leave Wairoa under apprehension that he would be charged with bewitching Kopu — a speech of Toha's having led him to fear that such would be the case. Te Waru took with him some 60 of his people and went to Wataroa, a place about half way between Wairoa and Waikare Moana, and had not returned when he (Major Fraser) left. / Spit Improvements. —On Thursday afternoon Mr. Sigley, the contractor, commenced the extension of the private wharf of Messrs. Watb Brothers. This wharf is already 39 feet in length, by 25 in breadth, and it is intended to add 30 feet to its length. The piles used are, of course, totara — 10 by 10 inches, and they are being driven 5 feefc into the ground, 4 abreast. The work is expected to be completed in about a week. We also notice a large store in course of erection for the Messrs. Robjohns, and a new hotel for Mr. Fletcher. Immigration Defaulters. — On Tuesday last, judgment was given in several cases at the Resident Magistrate's Court, at the suit of the Jmmigratipn agent, for amounts long since overdue for assisted immigration. We trust that, this result will lead to a better disposition to pay on the part of others who are in arrears,