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Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1014, 16 January 1869, Page 2

Fire at Waipawa. — A fire took place at Waipawa on Tuesday last, by which Mr. Halpin's hotel was wholly destroyed. It occurred about one or two in the day. Mrs. Bennett was the first to raise the alarm, she having seen smoke issue from the roof. Soon after, the flames burst out, and the whole building was destroyed in less than half an hour. Nothing was saved but a few personal effects. The house, we understand, was insured for £300, and the furniture and stock-in-trade for £400. No cause for the fire can be ascribed. On the following day an inquest was held before H. R. Russell Esq., in the absence of the coroner, and ajury (Mr. B-ibby foreman) but no evidence was adduced to account for the fire, and an open verdict was accordingly returned. The Observation Corps which, but a few weeks ago, Capt. Weber took so much pains to organise, and the existence of which has created a wide-spread feeling of confidence and security which would not otherwise exist, has been suddenly ordered by the General Government to be disbanded. We cannot account for such an act except on the supposition that financial reasons are pressing upon the Government. It is not merely an act of folly — it is one displaying the same disregard of consequences which but a few weeks ago, preceded the most terrible tragedy in New Zealand history.- The case of the men ; engaged on this duty is peculiarly hard. Many of them lett shearing and other lucrative occupations to join a force which they believed to be of a permanent character. They had to find a hoi'se and accoutrements, at an expense of from £510 to £25 each mau — an expense which, in some cases, will hardly be covered by the wages they have earned. Apart from this, many of them have to come a very long distance to j receive the pittance coming to them, which is made payable in Napier. Truly, we never heard of a more thankless Government to serve than the one which (to its misfortune) rules the destinies of New Zealand. Tnis Day Mr. Edward Lyndon will sell by auction a quantity of furniture &c. Captain Spiller, who was a passenger yesterday by tho St. Kilda for Wairoa, will take command of that district, vice Captain Corfield, at present in charge. An English Mail will be made up on Monday next, by the s.s. Phcebe. As there will be no further mails via Panama, it is notified that, henceforth, Suez rates will be collected on all correspondence for Europe, Americn, &c. Meanue Common School. — At a meeting of parents held on Thursday evening last, convened by the trustees to get an expression of opinion as to the candidate who should be appointed as teacher in lieu of Mr. T. Honan, resigned, the choice of the meeting fell unanimously upon Mrs. Carr ; and the trustees, accordingly, recommended to His Honor the Superintendent that the vacancy should be filled by that lady's appointment. At the close a subscription was made for the purpose of putting the school house in a decent state of repair, which was liberally responded to. Tub St. Kilda left Napier yesterday for Wairoa and Poverty Bay. On arriving at the latter, she will convey Ngatiporo and the other native allies to their respective homes. She will then await further instructions from Mr. Richmond, that gentle-

man being expected to arrive in Napier on Sunday next by the p.s, Sturfc.

Wairoa. — Advices have been received from this district, to the effect that no foundation can be traced for the rumored appearance (as mentioned in our last) of Hauhaus up the Wairoa river. Felix Goulet, whose place is near the locality indicated, has since been to his home, and found it unmolested. Fires were seen at a distance, but horses and all other property were found as he had left them. Two troopers have also been round the district without seeing any sign of an enemy. So far well : we only hope that such a state of things may continue.