TE AWAMUTU.

New Zealand Herald, Volume II, Issue 501, 21 June 1865, Page 5

TE AWAMUTU.

[i-bom ovn. ovrar coitEEsroinyENT.l June 16. Belauve to the native meeting at Hangitiki which I referred to in my last communication, 1 am uuablo to state whether it has positively taken place or not, hut during the past week Maoris from all directions have passed through tin's district, on their way to the general assembly. I Bhall tiot omit to inform your readers of the result, when I can do so satisfactorily. A coroner's inquest was held at Ngahinapouri yesterday, before Edward "Waddington, Esq., M. D ,and a jury of twelve non-commissioned officers and men of the detachment at that station, for the purpose of recording tho cause of death of William ilart, a militiaman who hud been struck oil' pay, and was, as will bo seen from the evidence, on his way to Auckland to purchase bullocks, to enable him to perform a contract for fencing in land, and general agricultural purpofts. Ho was a steady, sober man, and much respected nt Alexandra, at which place ho resided. Be wus drowned in a creek (off the Waipa) I whilst crossing. Two evidences only were examined, I who gave the following testimony : ■*

Percy Cartw right, being sworn, said: lum a lieut. in lI.M. 40th Bogimcnt, now stationed at Te Bori. On Wednesday, Juno 14, between the houra of four and five o'clock p.m.. upon passing Hether's Creek, I observed a body in the water. 1 took it out, and placed it upon the 1: i 1 . .here I left it, and immediately jeported the occurrence to Colonel Nelson. T was not acquainted with the person whoso body I found. ■William Tenberg being sworn, said: I am. a. private in tho 2nd Begin ent "Waikato Militia. I was with "William Halt on 1 rid ay the Dili instant, on my way from Alexandra to Auckland, to which place we were going for the purpose of buying bullocks and selling horses. About 8 o'clock in the morning we wero passing over a bridge, which was flooded, across a creek. The deceased went first, but as the water was very high we could sec no bridge, deceased swam across upon his horse, and upon reachinir the opposite bank the horse turned suddenly round to get back again. Deceased threw himself off in order to reach the bank. He shouted twice to me for assistance which I could not render him. He sank, and I saw no more of him. The horse returned to my side of the creek, and landed safely. Deceased was perfectly sober, and was not much of a swimmer. I returned to Alexandra and reported the accident to tho commanding officer and the adjutant. The jury ciid not deem it neces c ajy to have a.post morion' examii ation of tho body, in i after a brief deliberation, they returned a verdict of " accidentally drowned." 1 icutenant Coapcr, from Alexandra, (who accom- ■ panic d tho Coroner), officiated as foreman of the jury. The Coroner left a warrant for the interment i of the body, which took place at Ngnhinapouri, at 10 o'clock this dny. Mr. Hulme performed the burial service, which he read in a very impressive I manner. [FHOSI A COIIKISrOXDENT.j l June 16. i There is not much of any great importance to write about since my Inst, only the relief of two delnch- [ ments of the 65th Pegiment. Yesterday, tho 15th, a detachment, consisting of 1 sergeant, 1 drummer, and 30 rank and file, fion. No. (> Company, 65th Eogiment, marched from Te Awamutu to Hurini to relieve a like number from No. 4 Company who joins head-quarters of their regiment, and this day i<o. 9 and 10 companies, 65th Hegimcnt, marched to Bangiawhia from Te Awamutu to relieve No. 1 Company of tho sanio regiment. Tho band played those companies part of the way to their destination, and met

5 the once joining heeid-quaiters, playing them into ■ camp. This is the first time that No. 1 Company has been relieved since their first being sent to Jiangia- \\ liiji, which was about fourteen or fifteen months ago. 1 Ibis company has been very useful since they have been to liangiavihia, conducting bridges, &c. ' 1 might here mention t;at about two months ago, ? (lie AVclri Government gave an order ill at the allow- ' mice of candles to be used in our little church at this elation weie to be at once discontinued, and that the tlmj lnins were to find their own candles, for evening 5 service, Rather a mean way this, 1 think, to obtain money to help them to pay oil their debts ; but Still, 1 I think, they might have left the chinches alone. 1 am sonv to state that there are several petty f robbeiies being committed. In seme cases the persons lmvc been caught, hut in others they have escaped detection. ' Tho weather has been fine here for this laßt week past, and the nights cold, with sharp frosts.