PORT NICHOLSON.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 93, 16 December 1843, Page 371

PORT NICHOLSON.

We regret to state that Mr. Boddington'a house at his farm, on the Porirua, was burnt down on Monday last. It was just completed and about to be occupied. This unfortunate loss arose from setting fire to wood to be burnt off, too near the premises. We have already given many warning! on this subject ; and this is the first fire we have had to record from this cause. — Gazette, November 22.

Wairau Massacre. — Some information has reached us about this savage murder, which, if true, presents the native character in a much worse light than that in which the settlers at present regard it, even after this dreadful event.

We refrain from publishing the information in question, partly because we hope it may not be true, and partly, if true, because it could not fail to be most painful to the feelings of the relatives of the murdered men. It will, however, be brought under the attention of Captain Fitzroy, who will not fail to feel the necessity of revenging the dead, and the honour of his country, by making a salutary example of these disgusting savages. — Ibid, Nov. 25.

Cattle. — The cattle brought by the ship Francis were sold by auction on Thursday last. Eleven cows consigned to one party sold at prices from £2 10s. to £6 155.; together they realized £49 165.; on the average of £4 10s. 6d. The loss of cattle on the passage out of this lot was considerable, and the price for which the remainder v/as sold did not pay the freight of the shipment. The cost of the cattle, fittings, freight, commissions, and a portion of the freight, are therefore all at the expense of the shipper. Twelve cows and five calves, consigned to another party, were sold* at the same time by auction, and the cows averaged nearly £6 each, and the calves nearly 355. each. The loss on board, to be charged to this shipment, was not so great ; still the consignee states the sum realized will only pay freight. The cost of the cattle, expense of fittings, and hay, therefore, fall upon the shipper, and make the speculation a total loss. — Ibid.

The Sheriff. — Mr. St. HUI left this place some weeks since with the Chief Justice, who proceeded to walk, by the way of Taupo, to Auckland. Mr. St. Hill expected to meet the Bishop at Taupo, and intended returning with him to Wanganui, and we believe continue journeying with him until the Bishop arrived at Port Nicholson. It will be seen by our Wanganui intelligence, that the Bishop had arrived at Wanganui, and proceeded to New Plymouth ; and if Mr. St Hill has proceeded there likewise, 6ome weeks may yet elapse before he returns to Port Nicholson. It had struck us that Mr. St. Hill's absenting himself from Port Nicholson must be attended, at least with inconvenience, but we wished Jto avoid making any remarks until complaints had been addressed to us. Yesterday, cases were stated to us which made it apparent that members of the legal profession and their clients were suffering considerable inconvenience from Mr. St. Hill's absence, and that in fact justice itself might be defeated from the same cause. We hope this notice will be sufficient, and that it will not be necessary for us to return to the subject. — Ibid, Nov. 29. Post Office. — An overland mail to Wanganui has, for some time, been regularly despatched every fortnight. But we were not aware until lately that, at the same time, a mail is also forwarded to New Plymouth, and that it is not unusual to receive letters here within ten .days after they have been posted at New Plymouth. This is a great convenience and bond of union to the settlers on this shore of Cook's Straits. — Rid. ' Horticultural Show. — The first for the season took place yesterday. The flowers were the sole attraction. Of the show generally, it seemed to be felt it was the shabbiest which hat taken place since the colony was formed. The committee do not choose to have a show in the spring, nor in the summei, nor in the winter ; they are so happy in their periods of selection, that they manage to get betwixt and between all seasons, and in this course they have persevered with praiseworthy pertinacity; though they ought to have felt public opinion was against them. Sure we are, by the remarks we heard made yesterday, that they should feel the community are not satisfied ; but time will show whether opinion is to have any effect. — Ibid, December 6.

The Sheriff. — At the sitting of his Honour the Judge of the County Court, on Monday last, for the purpose of making up issues, Dr. Evans called the attention of his Honour to the continued absence of the Sheriff, the great inconvenience sustained by the legal profession ,, and the serious injury which individuals were suffering from the suspension of his official duties. He (Dr. Evans) then submitted to his Honour whether, under the circumstances of the case, the power vested in his Honour by the Supreme Court Ordinance, of appointing a Sheriff during any vacancy which may arise, ought not to be exercised. His Honour doubted whether the circumstances stated amounted to such a vacancy of the office as is contemplated by the Supreme Court Ordinance, but fully concurred in the remarks which were made on the serious consequences likely to result from the absence of the Sheriff. Instances were referred to by professional gentlemen present, in which considerable injury had been sustained by their clients by reason of this illegal absence of the Sheriff from the scene of his duty. In one case a poor man walked fifty miles, a few days since, to receive the proceeds of an execution levied by the Sheriff, but was compelled to go home again without the money, or any intimation of the Kriod at which he might expect to receive it. >c legfcl remedies of individuals against the Sheriff sis very inadequate satisfaction for injuries arising from the cause of which we have already been called upon to complain. — Ibid. The brig Bee, from Sydney and Twofold Bay, ; arrived here yesterday afternoon, having made her passage from the latter place in thirteen days. Her cargo principally consists of sheep, of which she has only lost thirty, and has now on board upwards of fiv» hundred. The Bee saw a vessel with American colours in the Straits — supposed to be bound for this port. As the Bee left Sydney two days before the Francis, long since arrived and sailed, no news can be expected by her. — Ibid. Flax. — The Industry sailed a few days since with a machine on board, for Palliser Bay. It was made, we believe, by Mr. Pratt, and is to be worked at Mr. Wade's station. — Ibid.