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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume I, Issue 26, 26 December 1861, Page 3

On Sunday last, the good inhabitants of Napier had their curiosity more than usually excited by the appearance of a steamer, which, as she neared our shores, proved to be of considerable size. A three-masted steamer is a “ visitor ’ that one is nut much accustomed to Welcome in Napier, and speculation was rife as to what she could be, and what her mission. She was, in fact, quite unexpected. About 5 o’clock she came to anchor, when the more knowing ones on shore pronounced her to b£ the Fawn, and not without reason, for such she proved to be. During the day it was confidently expected that the Governor would be on board, yet, as the vessel neared, and no flag was observed to indicate the fact, it was again supposed that the vessel had been despatched for the purpose of meeting his Excellency at Napier, who, it will be remembered, hud left Auckland for Waikato. , r 1 his conjecture proved to be incorrect, as the I 1 awn leL the next day for Wellington. Ihe passengers by the Fawn were the hon. Crosbie Ward, Postmaster General, and Secretary of Crown Lands, D. M’Leau, Esq., Commissioner of Crown Lauds, and Mr. Searancke, of the Land Purchase Department. Mr. Crosbie W ard remains, but the other gentlemen proceeded to Wellington in the Fawn for the purpose, we believe, of settling some business in the Department with which they are connected. Mr. Ward remains to make himself acquainted with a long-vexed question in tiie Hawke’s Bay Province —of course we refer to the “ grass question” and we await with considerable interest the issue of this gentleman’s visit to Ahuriri.