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Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 11, Issue 863, 3 August 1867, Page 2

The Weather, during the week, has been peculiar. The barometer has been remarkably low — falling to 28'GO — but .there has been nothing here to account for so startling an indication of stormy weather. There has, howver, been a good deal of rain, with very high tides — causing an overflow at the Spit and several low portions of the Town. The mercury is again rising, aud fine weather may once more be expected. Waitangi Bridge, — This structure having been efficiently repaired, was opened to traffic last Wednesday. Papakura Block. — We learn tbat negociafcions have been concluded for the sale of tbis block to the Provincial Government. The quantity of land is, we believe, 3,600 acres, and the purchase money £9,500 — the payments to extend over a considerable period. Heavy Rain has fallen during the week, and the Tutaekuri river has slightly overllowed in some places. The sky is still overcast, causing some ahxiety, as more rain might result in serious damage at the Meanee. Native Rumour points to some contemplated rising in the interior. In fact the native mind generally seems disturbed. We sincerely trust there is no truth in the account copied elsewhere from the SoutJiern Cross, of the murder of the party in charge of Mr. Firth's cattle. Auckland Gold Field. — Elsewhere we publish all we observe in our Auckland files of the gold field said to have been discovered on the Thames. It does not appear that any new discovery has actually been made. Artesian Wells are not, we fear, to be a boon enjoyed by the people of Napier. The sinking on the beach has, like all preceding efforts, been unsuccessful — the pipe having again encountered a boulder and become bent. This result is greatly to be deplored ; at the same time ifc is believed that, with stronger piping, success might yet be achieved. Sir Trevor Chute was to leave Auckland on the 3rd inst. (to-day) for the Australian colonies ; and a suggestion appears in the public prints that a public demonstration in honor of the distinguished General and his brave companions in arms should be made on their embarkation, and that the day be declared a public holiday. We do nofc gather whether the suggestion is likely to be acted upon. The Southern Cross of the 26th inst., in an article upon the character of services of this distinguished, commander, thus refers to his campaign on the West Coast .-— " It was in truth a most perilous and intrepid exploit,equal in hardihood of conception, equal in boldness of execution, to the famous march of Sir Charles Napier upon Ghaumghur, a feat , which the biographer of that General compared to Marius's descent on Jugurtha's town of Capsa. To ourselves, this coup-de-main of General Chute's recalls Montrose's winter march across the Grampians to the country of MacCallum More." And again: — "Sir Charles Napier always held the opinion that the British soldier individually is at least as strong, as active, as hardy, as brave, and as intelligent, as the warrior of any other country — civilised or uncivilised. In this doctrine General Chute has also a sure belief. Sir Charles Napier said that, where Bcloochees could go, British soldiers could and should go ; and they did go. General Chute said that where Maoris could go, British soldiers could go too ; and thither they went accordingly. . The soldiers justified the faith which their General reposed in them, lie led them well, and they served him well." Poverty Bay. —We learn from the Southern Cross that, upon, the assembling, last month, at Turanga, of the Judges of the Native Lands Court, " Captaiu Biggs, who appeared as agent for the Crown, addressing the Judges, said that lie should have- to make an application for an adjournment of all the cases, on several grounds : — lst, that the Government had only lately discovered a clerical error in the second clause of the East Coast Land Titles Investigation Act, which was thafc the word v include " was inserted there instead of the word /'exclude," altering the meaning and effect of the Act ; 2nd, thafc the Government had not had sufficient time to enable them to get evidence as to what lands belonged to the rebels ; and 3rd, because there was a combination among the natives in the district to withhold all information, which he had not been aware of until a short lime before he had departed for Wellington, and that he should have to go to the Chatham i Islands in order to procure the required information. On these grounds he would apply for an adjournment until after tlie Assembly (should legislate on the subject, by which time he would bo enabled to have all the evidence ready that would be required." Several natives opposed the application, which, however, was granted. Tjie Miusles. — By the Nelson papers 'we ("Independent) observe that the mortality amongst children at Kelson is excessive, no -.less than ton having fallen victims to the generally harmless disease known to the unscientific as " measles."