WANGANUI.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 2026, 23 February 1864, Page 3

WANGANUI.

(From the Chronicle, February 18th.) The Natives. — We mentioned last week that a meeting was to bo held at Kaiwhike on the 10th and 11th. After a long palaver, it was adjourned to the 15th, at Piperiki. The general feeling was that a detachment of the Wanganui natives should go to the Waikato. The Native Resident Magistrate here, Mr White, sent a letter to Ropana, who, it may be remembered, stole a mare and foal Mr Jas. Atkinson about sixteen months ago., demanding restoration of the mare with all her progeny, and threatening confiscation of his land and other property, if he refused. When this letter was read at the meeting, Ropana snatched it out of the hands of the reader, tore it in pieces, and said it was folly to send such a letter to him, whose hands were red with the blood of the Pakeha. He was rebuked for speaking in this way ; but the horses have not been returned. Nor has the gun which was stolen from Mr F. Watts some time ago, and which was also demanded. A native at the meeting had a 67th rifle. Moubnful Occuebence. —By yestei Iday's mail arrived intelligence of the death of Mr Durran late of Kaikokopu. As he was crossing a creek about 20 miles from Tokomariro on the 2nd inst., in company with Mr Treeweek, his horse fell, and coming partly on him, caused fatal internal injuries, of which he died about twelve hours afterwards. Mr Durran left this for Otago about three months since, and his sudden death just on his entering a new sphere of activity, will doubtless be deeply felt by all who knew him here. Nor will the sympathy felt for his much esteemed and respected widow be loss general or less genuine. We cannot better describe the character of the deceased than by the words ' used in the letter announcing Ms death.. \ ''He was a genuine, manly, open, straight- ! forward fellow." We will add, however, f that those who knew him best were alone I acquainted with the strong kindliness of his nature, which prompted him to grve ready and efficient assistance to his friends and neighbours whenever they required it. The Races. — The entrances for the Produce stakes took place last evening at the Rutland Hotel, when there was a very numerous attendance of subscribers. The following horses were entered :— Dr Mussen's b.g. Young Glaucus, by Glaucus, out of Estelle, 4 yrs. Mr J. Walker's b.f. Lochleven, 4 yrs, by Glaueus out of Lass of Gowrie. Mr J. Standish's br. h. Cloud, 4 yrs, by NutwithoutofPhillis. Dr Gibson's ch.g. Rifleman, 4 yrs, by Magnet out of Dinah. Mr Baldwin's b.g. Camden, aged, by Camden out of an imported mare. We understand that the subscription list progresses very favorably, and we hope to have to congratulate the Wanganui public upon a very successful moeting.