ALARM IN NAPIER.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 999, 24 November 1868, Page 2

ALARM IN NAPIER.

On Saturday evening, about 10 o'clock, a real alarm was created in Napier. A trooper named Groom, who was on his way to the north on official duty, upon teaching the Meanee Spit found the inhabitants there in a great state of alarm in consequence of a large number of natives, having assembled at the small fishing whare about half a mile from Beukere,' who were at once assumed to be Hau Haus. Beukers, his wife and family, came over to this side, with all his boats, and Groom returned to town, galloping up Shakespeare -road and informing every one that 400 or 500 Hauhaus were on the Spit, coming to attack Napier — that he had himself seen them, and there could be no doubt about it. The effect of such an alarm may be easily conceived. The streets were at once crowded with women and children, who flocked to the militia office and other central places ; mounted orderlies galloped furiously between Napier and the Spit; and the militia and volunteers, and Capt. Tanner's mounted troop, might be seen in all directions hastening to the parade ground. Although the alarm gun was not fired — the effect of which would have been that the women and children, and the third class militia, should at once repair to the barracks — the turn-out of civilian soldiers was excellent. Capt. Withers estimates that 300 men assembled, and that, too, within a very few minutes, all exhibiting good humour, high courage, and a determination to do their duty — expressing, in fact, we rather fear, a wish to have the chance of so doing. The several companies were formed and despatched in various directions. The cavalry were employed as scouts, and proved themselves a most useful arm of the service, jusfc the thing for an emergency such as had apparently arisen. A company of the 18th, under command of Capt. Wray, were out within a few minutes of the alarm being given — proceeding at the " double" to the second bridge on the road to the Spifc, and quite prepared to give the enemy, if they appeared, such a reception as they did not count upon. As a proof of the celerity which marked the movements of the military, we learn that, from the time Capt. Wray received the intelligence at Mr. M'Lean's residence, to the time when, after tachment returned to barracks, only thirtyfive minutes had elapsed ! The big guns, as it turned out, were never fired. It proved, after a short but painful period of suspense, that the party that had caused so much excitement consisted of Mr. W. Morris and a number of Tongoio natives, on their way to town, and that their numbers did not exceed 30 or 40. This alarm— if it originated foolishly and caused for the time being much uneasiness and inconvenience, — was useful as bringing out the best qualities of our citizen soldiers, whose behaviour throughout was admirable, such as, taken in conjunction with the presence of the gallant 18th, was eminently adapted to inspire confidence in the minds of the inhabitants generally. Ifc will also, we hope, have a good effect on the authorities, in causing them to see that, in future, no man able to bear arms, is left without a rifle and ammunition, and that better arrangements are made for the safety of women and children.

The Refugee Relief Fund. — The list of subscriptions will be found in our advertising columns. The Sun is the title of a new daily paper in Dunedin, published in opposition to the Daily Times, and the first number of which appeared on Monday last. The Christy Minstrels, it will be seen, give their next concert on Tuesday next, on this occasion in aid of the Poverty Bay refugee relief fund. The Telegraph. — The line was down from Sunday morning till yesterday forenoon — the late N.W. gales having, as usual, blown a tree or two upon it between Castle Point ond Grey town. The English Mail was expected to -day by the Storm Bird. That steamer, however, has proceeded south ; so that we suppose our Panama mail will lie in Wellington till the departure of the Lord Ashley for this port on the 10th of next month ! Suspicious Natives.- — Two strange natives seen prowling about were yesterday apprehended at Meanee on suspicion of being spies. Such a precaution is now a necessary one. They proved to be from Patea, (in this province) and, giving a good account of themselves, were released from custody. Meanee.— -With reference to the question of the erection of a stockade, referred to in our last issue, the adjourned meeting took place on Saturday evening. Mr. Wood, as chairman, stated that he had seen Capt. Carlyon upon his return from Meanee, which he had visited that day. That gentleman had decided in favour of the paddock adjoining the Meanee Hotel, as the position for a stockade. He proposed that it should be 40 feet by 40, built of 8-inch white pine, with two flanking bastions, and with an earthwork thrown round. This would hold about 800 women and children on an emergency, and could be defended by from 30 to 40 men. The timber and nails for such a structure would cost about £115. This, he thought, the Government would give, conditionally upon the settlers finding cartage and labour. The meeting, having considered the proposal, pledged itself by resolution to find the necessary cartage and labour, and the result was conveyed the same evening to Capt. Carlyon, who promised at once to communicate with the Government at Wellington,

The MititiA. of the Town of Napier are ordered to parade twice a week — -Tuesdays and Saturdays at 6 p.m. This will be the first day for drill. A Stowaway found in the hold of the Wellington was given in charge of the police iipon arrival of that vessel. His name is Train, formerly resident here. He states that he and many others were in a very bad condition at the diggings. A Corps of Observation. — The scheme proposed by Mr. M'Lean for protecting the northern frontier having fallen through, it is intended, we believe, to organise a corps of observation, to be under the command of Mr. Weber, who is understood to have been gazetted to a commission, The Present Crisis. — A special service, having a direct bearing upon the present crisis, will be held on Wednesday next, in St. John's Church. The sermon will be preached by the Bishop of Waiapu, and the offertory will be added to the fund for the relief of the Poverty Bay refugees. Middle Island Generosity. — The late troubles have served to develop the finest traits in the character of our fellow settlers of the Middle Island. For instance, Otago, in the most generous manner, has offered to receive ten patients into hospital, also to receive 50 refugees and to provide for them for three months, failing their obtaining employment meanwhile. A similar offer, we understand, has been sent to Dr. Featherston with reference to Wanganui. H. E. Webb will sell on Thursday, the stock-in-trade of Macfarlane and Garry. Rotjti/edge, Kennedy, & Co. will sell, this day, stock and furniture at the residence ot G. S. Cooper, Esq,, Meanee. Rootledgf, Kennedy, & Co. will sell, to-morrow, at the yards, Meanee, 30 head cattle bred by Mr. Tanner, horses &c.