HAWKE'S BAY.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1915, 1 September 1863, Page 3

HAWKE'S BAY.

The alarm i-a this province had subsided and confidence had been restored. We make the following extracts from the Herald : — Fatal Accident. — We deeply regret having to record the death by drowning of Mr John Ross, of this tovyn, which occurred yesterday about half-past two p.m. Mr Rich" and the deceased were on the other side of the Ngaruroro, engaged ia driving cattle towards the punl. When near the ferry the mob broke away and went into the liver a little below the lower bend. Mr Rich followed them into the water, with the view of turning them, but came back when he found the water up to the 3addle flaps. He vehemently called upon Mr Ross to do the same, but he persisted in entering the river so as to head the cattle. When the horse got out of its depth, it suddenly commenced floundering, and in two or three seconds more both horse and rider disappeared- The boat attached to the punt was immediately obtained and diligent search made for tke body, but without avail up to last night. The deceased leaves a wife and large family — fortunately not unprovided for; as his industry in supplying Napier with milk for a series of years is understood to have made him easy in circumstances. He has served for a lengthened period in the Royal Artillery, having been one of the small detachment stationed in this province." Choral Society. — We are glad to learn that the music ordered last year for the use of the Napier Choral Society has anivad, and will be open this eveuing. Messes Poussabd and Douay's Concert, we are very sorry to find, will not come off according to advertisement — the continued illhealth of Mous Douay rendering it imperatively necessary that they should proceed at once to Sydney. Arms. — Tt will be seen from our shipping intelligence that 10 cases rifles have arrived from the South. This we believe, makes 600 stand of arms at the disposal of the officer commanding the civil forces. Mounted Volunteer Force. — This force numbered twenty-two at tho meeting for drill practise, yesterday ; and they went through their evolutions very creditably. Waipawa Mounted Rifle Volunteers. — Au adjourned meeting of gentlemen desirous of forming themselves into a Mounted Volunteer Corps, was held at the Court-house, Waipawa, on Tuesday the 11th inst. The signatures of 71 members were obtained, and the following gentlemen nominated as officers : — G. S. Cooper, Esq , Captain ; Thomas Tanner Esq., Lieutenant; J. R. Duncan, Esq., Cornet. We understand that the services of the troop have been accepted by the Government ; and the names of the officers forwarded for his Excel* lency's approval.

Bank op New South Wales. — We learn that, by last mail, instructions were received by the local manager to wind up the affairs of the Bank in this province. The Late Dbathby Dhownino.— Since the late fatal accident every effort has been made, by dragging the river and otherwise, to recover the body of the deceased, but we regret to say, without avail. Superstition. — On Tuesday evening the moon had the appearance of being in close contact to a bright star. The natives here think this an evil augury, and infer that the Waikatos got beaten on that day. Poverty Bay. — The following is from a correspondent, uuipt date the 9th iDst.:-The news by the last mail is indeed very startling, and has put a number of (he Poverty Bay ladies in a great state of mmd — not, I believe, without a cause, as none of us know the day that a band of marauding murderers (of the northern tribes) may not pay us a visit ; and we are all of us aware of the treatment we should receive at their hands. There are about 120 Europeans located here, who would full aneesy prey, as but few of them are armed, and those that have arms have but little or no powder ; so we would stand but a poor chance of. escape if they should take it into their heads to give us a call. But, on the other hand, if we were well armed, with plenty of ammunition, we might keep several hundreds of them at bay until relieved by some vessel calling upon us. For my own part, I intend to leave here in a month or two — that is, if some steps are not taken for our safety. I do not believe that there will he much danger for a month or two — that is, I believe that while the natives can I hold their own at Waikato they will not come this way. But as soon as they begin to give way there they will break themselves up into small bands and scour the country, killing and plundering all those that are not able to defend themselres.