HAWKES BAY.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1787, 4 November 1862, Page 3

HAWKES BAY.

At the recent Sittings of- the Supreme Court, a lengthened enquiry has taken place to determine whether a person called James Chapman, was of sound or unsound mind. The following is a portion of the depositions.

J. D. Canning gave evidence to the effect that he had known James Chapman for about five years. Some months ago, being then overseer to Mr. Ormond, Chapman had written to that gentleman and witness to the effect that he had stolen some knives and a blanket, and insisting upon being prosecuted for the theft. The delusion continued ; Chapman complained of headache, became low spirited and unfit for any duty, and witness had him taken to Waipuku! an, where two medical men resided, and upon whose evidence he was committed under the Lunacy Act, as likely to become dangerous to himself and others. In reply to His Honor, witness said that Chapman's connections in England were highly respectable ; that he had a brother in New Zea. land, supposed to be in Rangitikei. but who had not answered the letters that had been written to him with regard to the state of his brother ; that he had a mare and pony worth about .£BO, and from 300 to 400 sheep, which yielded 2s. a-head for wool money, &c.

The jury, without retiring, found that James Chapman was, since the Ist July last, of unsound mind and incapable of managing his own affairs. Pokawa. — From a letter, dated Pokawa, Oct. 16, we have been kindly furnished with the following piece of intelligence : — " The natives held a runanga at Hapuku's pa, yesterday, on on old man of sixty years, who it seems had illicit intercourse with a young girl, and sentenced him to be hung. The old fellow, after committing the offence, took to the buah and cannot be found. They have been searching for him for two days, armed with tomahawks, knives, &c, and it is the belief of everyone that if he his caught they will carry the decision of the runanga into effect." — Herald.

Nenane Tb Huiki, the native lately tried for the murder of his wife and acquitted, was forwarded to Otago by last trip of the Queen — subscriptions in aid having been collected throughout the town The more immediate object of sending dim away is the fear, well grounded we believe, that the connections of hia late wife would not hesitate to kill him if they had the opportunity; while, by forwarding him to so thriving- a place as T^unedin. it is supposed that he will find it eo.3y to support himself by the labour of his hands. A report of the trial, printed in the Maori language by order of the Civil Commissioner, was forwarded by yestei-day's mails to the Wairoa and other inland districts — a copy having been addressed to every native of note. — Id.

Scab. — Mr. TiflFen, Inspector of Sheep, arrived from tlie Wairoa district on Sunday. We regret to learn that this virulent disease is spreading — the Inspector having condemned two or more flocks. One is that of Mr. G. Walker ; the other that of Messrs. Fannin, which numbers about a thousand. — Ibid.