HAWKES BAY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XIII, Issue 793, 16 June 1860, Page 3

HAWKES BAY.

By the way of Wellington, we have received papers from Napier up to the 26th ult., from which we extract the following items of intelligence :— The census returns have not yet been made up from the schedules. We are enabled, however, to give our readers a few of the totals—although re^ gretting that, especially, on the eve of the departure of an English mail, our information should yet be so scanty. ;'.,.. The population, which was expected to be quite 3000, proves to be only 2804; but as it is knowi that in several cases the schedules have either not been left, or not afterwards called for, the probability is that the former number may be nearer the'troth; Assuming 2804, however, to be a correct return! it shows an increase of 1289 over the census taken bj the General Government in! December, 18$8— • equal to 45 per cent, in the space of 16 months. The sheep in the province are set down at 222,499. The number in December, 1858 was 182,206, so that the increase in this item is 40,293, or in round numbers, 18 per cent—a great addition to the material wealth of the country, although scarcely coming up to our expectations. . Under the head of horses, 1213 against 732 in the former return, showing an increase of 481. | Cattle, then 4465 are now 6125, of 1660 over the December census. The number of acres fenced or under cultivation is now found to be 19,927f—the increase in this item being no less than 68i6£ acres. We trust in next ' Herald,' to be in a position to give these important returns in greater detail. Meanwhile, we may observe that the revenue of the province, ordinary and territorial, contiuues to flourish. The land sales for the first quarter of the year amounted to £7605 2s. 6d.; for the month of April to £5146 10s.: and for the present month, so far as it has gone, to between £4000 and £5000. The three-eighths of customs revenue to which the province is entitled, reached, during the first quarter of the year, the sum of £716 Bs. lid.; and, during the month of April, £240. There has also been a considerable revenue from publicans' licenses and other sources. There is no reason to believ«> that, for some time at least, there will be a diminution in the territorial, while a marked increase on the ordinary revenue may be securely calculated upon. The expenditure during the first quavter of the year, reached in round numbers £13,000--a considerable balance haying been in hand on the first of January. Gf this sum the greater part has been expended upon irpads and bridges in the interior—large road parties having been kept at work during the summer months. ■ . : The prospects of the province cannot be considered otherwise than encouraging. The land policy of the Superintendent— as regards fresh blocks handed over to the province;—is such as to encourage the introduction of a good class of men—that of small agriculturists. The export of .what now constitutes the staple of the province is largely on the increase'; while one great drawback to its prosperity that of a harbour unfit for the reception of large vessel^ is in a fair way of being removed by the operations of the new steam dredge. The Huntress is now being transformed from the paddle steamer into the more useful but lesß ornamental dredge. The masts have been unshipped, and the buckets and other apparatus are being brought up and fixed in their places. She will be ready for work some time within a month, by which time it is hoped that some of the punts will be ready. Among the many rumours, which get into circulation nobody know.s : how, is one to the effect that her boilers are so much injured as to necessitate her being sent back to Sydney For repair. For this we are assured there is not the slightest foundation—the boilers being good for three years to come. , This reminds us of the report, equally unfounded, which, a week or two ago, spread consternation among the good citizens of Napier—to the effect that the General Government had peremptorily instructed the Superintendent to pay £300 on account of arrears of interest arid sinking fund alleged to be due upon the Wellington debt! Athenjeum.—The plan which has been approved of consists of a main building, to be used as a lecture room, and two wings—one of which is to be the residence of the librarian ; the other to consist of reading room and library. For. the latter wing, which is all that the.funds at command of the committee will permit them at present to undertake, tenders have been called, and several sent in. The building is to be on the reserve in Clive square. The library will be 19 by 12; and the reading room 20 by 19. This institute when in working order, will prove a great boon to the inland settler; from whom,;we dare .say, subscriptions would be gladly received by the committee. An exodus of labour, on a small scale, has latterly taken place—about 30 roadmen having left per White Swan. It would be impossible For the Government to maintain all the road parties during the winter, and hence, we presume, the departure of so many.. Employment enough, however, will it is believed be afforded to those who remain, for the dredging operations alone will absorb the labor of fifty pairs of hands. It is also intended immediately to make a commencement of the Mohakaroad at the Meane Spit, so as to do something towards the improvement of the execrable piece of shingle which our Petane friends have so often the pleasure of traversing. :[■><■ The Militia Eoll, which will shortly be exhibited in front of the Court House, contains 1120 names. The men will not be called out for drill untila sufficient number of fire-arms can be supplied by th.ie Government, which is riot likely' to be for some time. At present, happily, there is no prospect of the services of the Militia being required. We learn that Colonel Russell is likely to be Lieut-Colonel, and Captain Lambert Adjutant, of the new corps.

'Musket Pbacticb.—;The Volunteer Corps will have target practice to-morrow afternoon,, near the Te Arb'pah. Twenty rifles having arrived per Blue Jacket, were purchased by Major Traff6rd,and they will be issued as prizes •to the twenty beßt shots, in exchange for the muskets at present in use. We understand that the Militia will also be exercised at ball practice, at noon ; the same day, a small prize being offered as, an inducement to the best shots.— -Wellington Independent, June & , The election for the Northern Divisionoorfr Auckland' took ° place on Wednesday last; when Mr. Henderson, the late member, was re-elected, without opposition, a member of the House of Represents* tives.— Southern Cross, May 22, ■,'