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Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1011, 6 January 1869, Page 2

Panama Mail. — The St. Kilda will steam for Wellington this day, and will take such English letters as may be posted up to the date of her departure. At the same time,

there is no certainty of tbere being a mail steamer for Panama this month; the probabilities, indeed, are against there being any. An Artesian Well has recently been sunk on the premises of the Boiling-down Company, by Mr Garry, who is also engaged to sink for several other parties in the same neighborhood. Hawke's Bay Boiling-down Company.—lt tvill be seen from advertisement that this Company is about to re-com-mence operations, and that cheap meat will once more be an institution in Napier. Napier Races. —An error crept in to the published programme, causing ifc to appear that the heats for the hack race were j mile and a half, instead of half mile. The i programme, in a corrected form, will be i found in our second page. j Napier Militia. —We understand that the several companies of militia will be sup- j plied to day with blank cartridge for practice. The men are requested to leave behind any ball cartridge they may have in their possession. The Herald of Saturday did not, we find, go by Monday's coach, many com- ! plaints to that effect having reached us. We can only say that the papers were duly posted on Saturday night at the brunch post-office, and should have been forwarded by Monday morning's mail. We exceedingly regret that this should have happened. Lieut-Colonel Lambert arrived from Wairoa yesterday forenoon. We have not heard whether he takes command of the Napier district, or whether he has come simply for the purpose of presiding over a court of inquiry which is intended to be held upon Capt. J. Buchanan, one or two charges upon matters of routine having been preferred against that officer. The Weather, since our last, has been more salubrious than before. A nor'-easter set in on Saturday night, bringing with it a refreshing, though not very copious rainfall; and, as we write, the sky has a threatening appearance. The country is much in want of rain, and a few days wet weather would gladden the hearts of many. . There was a great deal of lightning last evening. An Accident, which might have been attended with serious consequences, occurred last evening in the roadstead. The Murewai, in going out, got becalmed and put over a dingy, with two men, to tow her away from the broken water. The dingy was swamped, and the two men were in imminent danger. One got on board the vessel; the other was picked up by a shore boat, manned by Edward Brien and three others, who, as well as several other boats' crews, put off with most commendable promptitude. The Post Office, we are happy to say, will be moved very shortly to the new buildings. The delay, we believe, has occurred through the necessity for a telegraph station at the Spit, and the scarcity of efficient telegraphists. An officer, however, has been at length ordered to this station from Havelock, Marlborough, who may be expected by next steamer —the Phoebe, on the ] Oth inst. Meanwhile, Mr. Bold, who arrived on Monday by the Wellington, is engaged in fitting up the necessary apparatus in the present post office, preparatory to part of it being used as a telegraph station. We are truly glad that arrangements are, at length, so far matured. TelegrajVhin.. enrnraynicatmn- .hn|xtma» ....*.W -TspnrSitanierTOwnship proper will prove to be exceedingly useful. Waipukurau. —A treat was given to the children on the occasion of the breaking up of the day-school for the New-Year holidays, on the afternoon of Tuesday, 29th ult. The arrangements for the treat were got up under the able superintendence of Mr. Goodwin. The sports, and what for want of a better expression may be termed the intellectual part of the entertainment, were led by several ladies of the district, whose praiseworthy efforts to advance the best interests ot the young cannot be spoken of in too high terms of commendation. The children were dressed in the gayest of holiday attire. Almost all the settlers of the district;, together with some friends all the way from Napier, were present, and took an active part in the festivities of the season. The spread was laid in the schoolroom, and was really splendid. Suffice it to say that fruits in their season and everything was there which could possibly be desired. After tea, the sports were again resumed to the tune of the ever popular " Prisoners base," and the world-renowned games of " Oranges and lemons," " Bliudman's buff," &c. The young folks then mai'ched back to the school-room, with banners flying and music. The sparkle of delight which shone on their countenances when the magnificent Christmas tree burst upon their view can only be compared to that which appears on the face of the juvenile on Christmas morning, when he discovers that the fairies have hung up the well-filled stocking in its due place on the preceding night. The tree was literally loaded with all the delicacies of the season, doubtless the work of the skilful fingers of the schoolmistress and her female pupils. The " bag of doom" now went its round, and the fruit duly found its way into the possession of those present. Not the least amusing pnrfc of the scene was the blank astonishment of those who can only write " bachelor" in the census paper, on finding themselves possessed of some of those mysteries in the shape of " tatted" cuffs and collars known only to the ladies. The proceedings were brought to a close by a few very appropriate remarks to the children and settlers by 11. R. Russell, Esq., whose energetic and judicious efforts for the settlement of the district richly deserve the great success which has accompanied them: It must not be neglected to mention that the children sang some hymns very creditably indeed, and all expressed themselves most thoroughly pleased with tho day's enjoyment. It is to be hoped, when these troublous times are over, that such scenes will be of frequent occurrence, not only in Hawke's Bay, but throughout New Zealand.—Communicated. Routledge, Kennedy & Co. will sell, to-morrow, by order of Government, 28 bags white wheat.