HAWKSBURY.

North Otago Times, Volume VII, Issue 137, 14 September 1866, Page 3

HAWKSBURY.

( FROM OUR OWN COHRE3FONDENT. ) Hawksbury, September 12. In a formor communication I mado known to you a coso which enmo before tho Resident Magistrate in this place, when James Black sued J. .Tones, Esq,, for twenty pounds, for tho loss of a dog which camo to nn untimoly end through Sir Jones laying down poison in his paddocks adjoining this township. A littlo sensation was caused a low days ago, by Mr Jones appearing at tho Court Houso to pay the amount claimed, nnd for which judgment had boon given. It was hoped by most persons hero that the coso would havo gono to tho Supremo Court for final icttlement ; but unfortunately tho vexed question as to tho right of persons to lay poison on their property remains ycfc to bo decided 5 but there- is no doubt that Mr Jones was well advised before ho consented to pay tho money. Tho past weok has been very quiet. For threo months wo havo had excitement enough and of various kinds to keep us constantly on tho move, but a reaction has now set in and people aro now widely exclaiming " what is to come next ?" Tho only thing for a certainty is an early visit from tho Collector of Bates., whoso visits it is presumed will not in every instanco bo of tho most welcome kind. Town improvements aro capital things most men will admit, but when they come in contact with the strings of tho purso, they aro not so readily appreciated. The Municipal Chambors in Beach, itrecfc aro nearly completed ; tho exterior front presents a very neat and light appearance, but what stylo of architecture it rightly belongs to, I cannot protend to say. Tho interior arrangements aro certainlv convenient and commodious, but fitted up very plainly, contrasting groatly with tho autiquo Council Chambers of tho Mother Country. In vain wo look for tho civic chair of carved oak, as also on tho pannclled walls for tho portraits of Aldermen and Mayors of by-gono days j no, they aro not hero. Wo awako as if from a dream to tho conscientious conviction that wo havo crossed tho great ocean to tho colony of Now Zealand, to court tho goddosscs of Fortune and Fame. Tho business portion of our townsmen appear to bo moving slowly towards that part of tho Township fronting tho main North Road. Amongst tho new erections and improvements I may mention that Mr Meek has opened a now storo next to tho Commercial Hotel, and called it tho Commercial Store. A butcher's shop is also being erected next to tho store of Mr D. Malloch. Tho Commercial Hotel has been raised from the low sito it stood upon to tho level of tho road, and has been converted into a first-class hotel, with oxcollcnt accommodation for man and horse. It presents a capital front and is an ornament to this part of tho town. Tho new brewery built by Mr Franks is just completed (also situated on tho North Road), and being a branch of local industry is worthy of notice and deserving of support. Tho weather sinco my last has been very changeable, •with cold winds and occasional showers.