OUR HOME LETTER.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XX, Issue 3922, 2 June 1877, Page 2

OUR HOME LETTER.

The period that lias elapsed since our last letter has not been marked by aiiv important events, and public attention lias been therefore all the more largely directed to the progress of the RussoTurkish war. In the neighboring colony of Victoria their own political matters have created an excitement so great as almost to exclude English news from the newspapers. The elections for the new Victorian Parliament have gone to so large an extent in favor of the extreme democratic and protectionist party, as not only to have occasioned the resignation of the Ministry but to have given rise also to expectations of measures very seriously affecting property holders, though more particularly, perhaps, those holders whoso properties are very large, and which, in the phraseology that is being used in respect to them, are to be " burst up. " Here, in New Zealand, we have no questions of such vital colonial interest to

engage the public mind, and thus the events in Europe are the all-absorbing topics of the day. The General Assembly" it is expected, will meet on the 20th of July, and probably we shall then have subjects of colonial importance to take a share with those from Home in public attention. The Ministry, it is said, have been very busy preparing their measures for the coming session, and that already they have their Bills and financial arrangements in a forward state. With respect to the latter, it has been semiofficially announced that the Treasurer's financial statement will be made at an early part of the session. Among the measures that have been prepared by the Government, perhaps not the least important is one relating to dealings in native lands. It has been drafted by Mr Whitaker, the Attorney-General, and it is already printed with the view of circulating it prior to the meeting of the Assembly. This is a very prudent procedure, tending in a very great degree to clear the way for something like an agreement \ipon a very vexed question. Rumors have been current of late to the effect that there is something very much like a disagreement amongst Ministers. The publication of the rumors gave rise to a contradiction of them, which was evidently " inspired " from an official source, but nevertheless there is a pretty general impression that even if there is no actual rupture in the Cabinet there is not that close and happy adherence of its component parts which, those most interested would have the public believe. ' Another rumor in circulation is that Mr Rolleston will shortly join the Ministry. It is not spoken of as absolutely certain, but the fact that it has not been contradicted gives an air of probability to the report. His accession woiild no doubt increase the strength of the Ministry, particularly if he displaced a member of it less popular with the House. The defence of our harbors has been for some time under the consideration of the Government, and they have lately been in communication with Sir William Jervois and Colonel Scratchelty, who are at present in Victoria, with the view of obtaining their opinion on the subject. The result is that both of tliem will visit New Zealand and inspect its harbors, the Home Government having by telegram granted them permission to report on the hai'bor defences of the colony. The Hawke's Bay County Council held a meeting on the 14th ult. The business was only of an ordinary character. The Waipawa County Council held their monthly meeting on the Bth of May, when it was decided to change the place of meeting from Waipukurau to Waipawa. Since the meeting took place the election for the Waipukurau riding has been held, and has resulted in the return of the Hon. H. R. Russell, who defeated his antagonist, Mr Sydney Johnston, by a very large majority. This, it is said, was due to the voting lists giving all voters only one vote each, whatever might be the valuation upon their properties. There is no justification for such a course of procedure in the Counties Act, and some of the electors therefore contemplate petitioning against the election, but the defeated candidate, Mr Sydney Johnston, it is understood will not be a party to the petition. Those of the electors who should have had more than one vote, and who are resident in the Waipukurau road district, feel the more aggrieved at being deprived of part of their privilege because Mr Russell, as chairman of the road board of that district, sent in the list giving them only one vote. On the 11th and 12th of last month there were some remarkable tidal disturbances along a considerable portion of the East Coast of New Zealand. The tide ebbed and flowed every alternate hour throughout the day of the 11th, and the same phenomena occurred on the following day, the intervals being, however, of longer duration. At Gisborne one of the tidal waves rose quite ten feet ; in other places along the coast the disturbances were almost as great. There was, however, no damage done. It was conjectured that the cause might be looked for in a calamity in South America similar to that which occurred in 1868, when there were also tidal disturbances on the East Coast of New Zealand. The conjecture seems to be not altogether without foundation, as we have had news of an earthquake on the West Coast of South America, by which the town of Iquiqui was destroyed. On Sunday night, the 21st ult., a fire occurred in Napier, which at one time threatened to prove very destructive. It broke out in a very substantial building of two stories, that was at the time used as a boarding house. The flames had obtained quite a mastery over the lower part of the building before the fire was discovered by anyone, the inmates escaping from the upper floor by the windows. One of the inmates, we regret to say, did not escape without injury. He was not alone considerably burned, but he broke one of his legs in getting out of a window. The Fire Brigade were very quickly on the spot, but as at first they had only the hand engine, very little effect was produced, and it was feared that the conflagration would spread and involve the destruction of much property. Already the building where the fire originated was one mass of flames, and it had spread to an adjoining building, notwithstanding that the}' were not actually contiguous, when the arrival of the steam fire-engine on the scene at once put an end to all fears of any great disaster. With amazing rapidity the progress of the flames was stayed, and in a very short time the lire was altogether extinguished. Just as much and no more was burned as was burning when tlic " steamer" arrived. Much praise is duo to the members of the Fire Brigade for the very efficient manner in which they worked. They proved that they could work with discipline and in unison when the occasion demanded their services. The corps is evidently getting well organised, and bids fair to become a credit to the town, well entitled to all the support that can be given to it. An enquiry was subsequently held with the view of ascertaining the origin of the fire, but no conclusive evidence could be procured on the matter, beyond that it was an accident. The general belief, however, is that it was caused by the flue of an American stove heating the wood-casing of a chimney. A fire occurred on the night of the 23rd of May at Waipukurau. It destroyed the stables of Messrs Gowand Scrimgeour,and all the contents, except some saddlery. Eleven horses that were in the stables were burned to death. The fire was not discovered until the whole of the interior of the stables was on fire. The gates were then burst open, and a most horrifying sight met the view of the beholders. The unfortunate horses were all on fire, and were screaming fearfully. The loss altogether is estimated ;it considerably over £1000, while the insurances did not exceed £300. The annual ploughing match held under the auspices of the Hawke's Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Society took place on the 2-1 th of May — the anniversary of the Queen's Birthday — in Mr Wcllwood's paddock, nuar Hastings. The weather was exceedingly line, and the attendance tolerably good. Considerable disappointment was, however, felt at the limited amount of competition. There was also held on the same day and at the same place an exhibition of draught and thoroughbred foals. The events of the day were wound up with a dinner, hospitably given by Mr Wellwood. It was a very successful affair. The Kaikora races wore held on the same day, and were well attended. The Agricultural and Pastoral Society held their annual meeting on the 30th ult. It was very well attended, and strong evidence was given of the interest felt by the members in the welfare and progress of the society. The chair at the meeting was in the first instance taken by Mr Mackersey, the vice-president, but he took it only on condition that he, should

be allowed to vacate it as soon as the proceedings were opened. Mr F. Sxitton, M.H.R. , took the chair after it was vacated by Mr Mackersey, and presided during the whole of the subsequent proceedings, which were somewhat protracted. "Votes of thanks were given to Mr Bennett, the honorary secretary, and to Mr C. B. Winter, the treasurer. It Avas resolved to appoint a paid secretary, and Mr Banks was elected by ballot to that office. The honorary office-bearers were elected as follows : — President, Mr James Watt, vice-president, Captain W. Russell, M.H.R. ; treasurer, Mr 0. B. Winter ; committee, Messrs J. Coleman, J. R AVilliams, J. S. Giblin, A. M'Hardy, Allan M'Lean, G. Peacock, M. R. Miller, Shrimpton, J. Mackersey, J. Chambers, R. Wellwood, J. Heslop, F. Sutton, R. P. Williams, Douglas, H. Campbell, R. Brathwaite, Scale, Farmer, and J. Bennett. The meeting afterwards resolved that the rules should be amended, and recommended the committee to appoint for judges at the next show persons who are not resident in the district. The Bishop of Auckland, the Right Rev. Dr Cowie, has paid a visit to this diocese, for the purpose of discharging several episcopal duties which had been accumulating for some time, in consequence of the See of Waiapu being vacant. During his visit he administered the rite of confirmation in Napier and at Taradale, consecrated the churches at Waipawa and Waipukurau, consecrated the portion of the Taradale cemetery assigned to the Church of England, and ordained the Rev. Mr. Eccles. His Lordship left Napier last Friday. The harbor works are progressing very favorably, and it is expected that it will not be long before their beneficial effects will become manifest. There is a project on foot for the establishment of a ferry across Napier Heads, by a steam launch, capable of carrying on efficiently the traffic to and fro, which is largely increasing every day. The Napier Municipality has made arrangements for lighting the streets with gas, a convenience which has been for some time much desired by the inhabitants of the town. The appliances are in a very forward state, and the " lighting up" is expected to take place in a very few days. In the way of amusements we have had lately Messrs Baker and Farron, with a large company of assistants. The two principals were exceedingly good. We have also had a visit from the Georgia Minstrels, a company of real " niggers" of various shades of color. They were very amusing, and drew crowded houses during their stay. There is some likelihood of a suitable theatre being erected in Napier. A company has been started to carry out the object, but as yet it is only in an incipient state.