ECHOES FROM HAWKE'S BAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume V, Issue 1306, 23 January 1868, Page 4

ECHOES FROM HAWKE'S BAY.

(PEOM OUB OWK CORBKSPONnENT.) Napier, 13 th January, 1868. There is very littleof general importance wherewith to fill up a cor.-0.-pondent's letter, but I will do my beat to write as interesting an epitome of Hawke'e Bay news as possible, and throw mysslf upon the indulgence of an enlightened public —to whom, though rarher bclitnd hand, I take the liberty of ■wishing a happy H ew Year. Death has been busy in out small community. On th 3 3rd inst, at iAa residence, To Kopariga, Edward Spencer Curling, Esq., departed this life, aged 53. Deceased was one of the earliest settlers in this district, when Hawke'e Bay was known only as " Ahuriri." Mr.. Curling was elected member of the first Provincial Council of Hawke's Bay, on the Ist of ii arch, 1859. During tho greater part of the time he retained the'tide of 31. P. 0., ho was chairmen of committee;.' . The funeral took place on Sunday, sih inst., deceased being interred iu the Church of England burial ground. Kspier. A fatal acoident took; place on Monday, 6th inst.,in Napier, by which, i little hoy named William John Jew, aged 2 yeare and 3 -months, (aon of Mr. Samuel Jew, steward of the s.s. Star of the South), met his death'. It would appear that tho little-fellow was playing about ii: front of his mother's house, which fronted a pa: t water lagoon, and by soma means "which will probably never bi known, fell over the embankment and. was drowned; he'had evidently struck his face against » stone in hie fall. He was diseoyered floating on hie back. Dr. Thorpo was promptly in attendance, but all hie efforts to restore animation were-'fruitless. An inquest waa held the following afternoon, when a verdict of " accidentally downed " was returned. . OnTiieeday, 7thinßt., Mr. Henry Lutterell Morton, propiiotor of the Napier Hotels died suddenly. Death wae sai3 to be caused by a fit of apoplexy: which he had-had the previous day. Several other deaths have also taken place since the commencement of the present year. . . ; A very destructive fire took place at Meanee (abont .6 miloifrom Napier) on the 7th inst.,.' by which: a stackof hay (containing about/TO tons, and valued at £300) was burnt to the ground. .Suspicion of arson fell upon a Dative named- : Mohi te Kangiahiko, who appeared at the Resident Magistrate's Court on the Bth inst., but the evidence, adduced—though as ■'clear as mud in n. wine-glass"—was deemed nsumcient by the Court to warrant thenv ic committing the native. ■

The Wniroa Paces dime off on Tuesday, 14th January, and were in the humble opinion of your correspondent, an abject failure. 'J he hurdle race was von by n horse named " Old Jack," the Scurry raco by a Glendon filly named "Zoe" ; the Wairoa stakes by "Black Boy"; and the forced Handicap, by "Zoe." A hackraco won by n maro named "Nancy," concluded a most miserable day's sport. The Cleopatra took down about 40 passongera from Napier. She returned to port on Thursday evening. A shock of earthquake—des.-r'.bod by the Timely as a " tremor," and by tho Herald us a " puleation, took place at 6 a m. on the 13th inst. A young man named James Hague (well Known among tho sporting fratunity, 1 oth m this Provmco and in Auckland) had a narrow escape of being I drowr.ed at Wairoa, on tho 14th inet. Ho waa Crowing Iho Turiroa Croek on horseback, when kia nag " stuck him ud." ami ho had to jump off and swim for it. 1 hough heavily woightfid, ho was fortunate enough i:i reaching t!io other eide, little tho worse for his duckiii". His Honor tVio Suprrir.tondont left Sfapier by the Wellington on tho 2nd inst., and returned by the fame voiud noxt day. It is generally supposed that the object of hU visit wa: to amnge prehminarioe for tho retoptisn of K.H.U. «ho Duke of Edinburgh, ai far as tho Unlive m< o ia concerned. Tho barque John Uunyan is now a full riiip, and will probably get away in a dav or two. I trust to hear of hor having im'.'o n. rapid pa«s«go home. Tho chip Kchungi U announced to loavo übout the Sth prox. Wo h:ivc hail beauiiM weathor lately—too fino in fact. Wo would ghdly welcome anything in the ehapo of moisiiire. l'rav<?.-s have bfvv offered uj> in the various churcVcs in tho Province for rain. In cons-pquenc o( tho drought, everything is parched i up, aud bush fires have been very prevalent.