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Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1081, 7 September 1869, Page 3

Sunday at the Spit.-— On Sunday last there was a very unusual scene at the Spit (or, as it is now officially designated, Port Ahuriri). It was not, as the Sabbath should be, a day of rest, but one of noise and excitement. The s.s. Rangatira was in port, with a large number of passengers ; she was to sail in the afternoon, but, prior to her departure, took in a considerable number of cattle and sheep. Those who have seen cattle shipped at such an awkward place as the port, know that the operation is of anything but a Sabbatic character. One unfortunate quadruped got into great difficulties in the water, so much so that the poor beast excited the sympathies of a halfinebriated sailor to, such an extent that he jumped overboard (as he quaintly said) "to save her ! " The steamer's getting out of the Iron Pot appeared to be unusually difficult and tedious. An immense hawser snapped like a bit of twine, and, but for the sMll of the pilot and the care of the captain, the steamer would have come to grief ; as it was, she was for a moment or two in some danger. An aged Scotchman remarked to a bystander that this jeopardising of the steamer's safety "looked like a judgment upon folk who disregarded the Sabbath." Some of the passengers amused themselves by pelting people on shore with turnips ; one of those struck a shepherd rather sharply, and he retaliated by picking up a pebble and throwing it on board. Unfortunately it struck one of the passengers (not the one who threw the turnip) inflicting a wound on his head. The shepherd quickly departed ,• otherwise some of the injured passenger's friends who came ashore would probably have handled him roughly. — Communicated. Rush to the Thames Goldfields. — A rery large number of passengers arrived by the s.s. Rangatira, en route for the Thames and Coromandel goldfields. They consisted of experienced miners, some novices, and several speculators. Some had come from Melbourne and Sydney ; but Otago and Canterbury contributed the larger number. Notably among the speculators was Mr. Duncan Longden, a gentleman well known in Geelong and Ballarat, who has been commissioned by a number of capitalists in those places and in Melbourne, to proceed to the Thames, invest capital for them, and otherwise act on their behalf. It is understood that he is authorised to enter into negotiations on an extensive scale should he feel justified in so doing. It is to be hoped that in due time the development of* the auriferous resources of Hawke's Bay may attract foreign capital just as Auckland is now doing. Some surprise was expressed by the gold-seekers, when informed that active measures were in progress here to obtain possession of and work the undoubtedly auriferous Kaimanawa country, and that a Hawke's Bay Gold Mining Co. was in course of formation. The intelligence will not be lost upon our visitors, and if we are fortunate enough in this province to " strike it heavy," (as miners phrase it,) we may expect to see many of those who are now rushing to Auckland, return to Napier. .Among the passengers was a Melbourne detective officer, bound for the Thames ; somebody is evidently " wanted."