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Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 978, 15 September 1868, Page 2

English Mail. — The English mail via Suez will be received thia day by the s.s.

Aburiri.

Edward M'Donnell Esq., formerly of this province, has. been gazetted to an ensigncy in the local forces.

Armed Constabulary. — Twenty-five men are wanted for the Armed Constabulary. Also, a few mounted men. — See advertisement.

Divine Service will, D.V., be conducted at Meanee on Sunday the 20th inst., at b p.m., (next Sunday), by the Rev. George

Morice.

The Concert in aid of the incidental expenses of St. John's Church, and for which preparation has been making for some time, is likely to be given next week.

The Pokakai attack, of which so much has been said by Mr. G. Graham and others of like proclivities, is elaborately compared by tho editor of the Daily Times to the massacre of Glencoe ! '

Rifle Match.— With reference to the rifle match, on Thursday next, it is intimated that a boat will leave the Govern-

ment wharf at 7 a.m. on that day, for the convenience of members.

The Financial Statement of the Government has been summarised in our columns, although space has not permitted of our publishing it in full. The counter policy of Mr. Fox will be found developed in a speech which appears in another column. Lieut. -Colonel Whitmore made a speech in the Legislative Council on the 4th inst., in which he explained at great length the circumstances of the campaign in which he had been engaged. We hope on an early day to find room for the speech of the hon. member, as reported in Hansard.

Insolvencies are becoming quite the order of the day, scarcely a Herald appearing without some fresh notification of the kind. The latest declaration is that of Mr. Gr. H. Lamont. The Debtor and Creditors Act makes things so easy and comfortable to debtors that we are less surprised at the numbers who take advantage of it.

Death of a Valuable Dog.— We regret to record the sudden and accidental death of an old and respected settler of Hawke's Bay. " Smith," the beloved dog of R. Macfarlane, Esq., departed this life on the evening of Saturday, the 12th instant, deeply regretted by a numerous circle of friends, who are invited to meet at Swan's Hotel, at half-past seven this evening, for the purpose of condoling with his late owner, and taking into consideration the propriety of some suitable memorial. — Communicated.

Hawke's Bay Yeomanry Cavalry Volunteers. — -We learn from the Gazette that His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to accept the services of this corps, and that the undermentioned appointments have been made : — -Tho/nas .Tarinejr- to be Captain, date ...of commission, Ist. August, 1868; Joshua Cuff to be Lieutenant, date of commission, Ist August, 1868 ; Eobert Brathwaite to be Cornet, date of commission, Ist August, 1868. The corps was drilled on Saturday afternoon, in three squads. It numbered large and looked an imposing body.

The East Coast. — The adjourned debate on the 2nd reading of the East Coast Land Titles Investigation Bill took place on Thursday the 3rd inst. Mr. M'Lean made a speech in which the bearings of the question were clearly shewn. He denied that, during a lengthened period he was acting for the Government in the affairs of the East Coast, which Mr. Stafford replied to by saying that no one else had ever been accredited, and that the view taken by Mr. M'Lean was the result of a misunderstanding. The debate was an interesting one, and it ended in the Bill being thrown out.

The Weather for some time back, has been exceedingly changeable, with a large preponderance of wet. It is many years since Hawke's Bay saw such a season. Feed, in consequence of the incessant showers, will be abundant in the extreme, but intending cultivators of the soil have been prevented, by the state of the ground, from sowing their spring crops. Saturday last was a fine day and Sunday morning was delightful, but, in the afternoon, rain set in heavily and poured down all night. It is now blowing hard from the southward, with all the bleakness and discomfort peculiar to such winds in the depth of winter.

Parliamentary Papers. — We have to acknowledge receipt, per last steamer, of Nos. 8 and 9 of the second volume of ISTew Zealand Hansard. Also, proceedings of a board of inquiry to inquire into certain charges alleged against Inspector Hunter, Armed Constabulary, resulting in his acquittal; the financial statement of the Hon. the Colonial Treasurer; petitions from East Coast natives relative to their lands ; estimates for General Government services for the year ending 30th June 1869 ; and report by the Inspector of Surveys of the triangulation of the Bay of Plenty district.

The Armed Constabulary, early in the afternoon of Saturday, embarked on board the Sturt, en route for the West Coast, there to share ihe privations and dangers of M'Donnell's force. The corps was preceded on its march from the Government offices to the Spit, by the newly constituted .Napier Brass Band, which played several lively airs in a manner highly creditable to them as noviciates. What between pedestrians and equestrians, nearly half the town accompanied Fraser and his small but veteran troop to the place of embarkation, and, finally, gave them several lusty parting cheers. The constabulary are undoubtedly a fine body of men — men of good physical stamina, of good conduct, and in all renpects reliable — and, did the result depend upon them, we should have no apprehension that a week or two would not see peace restored. But we greatly fear the system of divided authority which seems to find favor with the powers that be, and which is likely to be more destructive to the brave fellows who left on Saturday than will the rebellious Ngatiruanui hapus. The Sturb steamed away at 3 p.m., and arrived in Wellington next evening at -g- past 6.

Messrs. $mith & Co. will sell, to-mor-row, at the yards, Meanee, heifers, steera, and horses. '