AUCKLAND.

Hawke's Bay Weekly Times, Volume 1, Issue 49, 9 December 1867, Page 306

AUCKLAND.

[erom our own correspondent.j ! ’ . November 28. The Council met this afternoon, and heard the Superintendent’s speech, in which the state of the Province was referred to in temperate language, without the boasting that so often marks opening speeches. The Hauraki goldfield also was alluded to hopefully, but not extravagantly; so far it is a loss to ,the Government, in that the extra expenditure it renders necessary is much beyond any extra revenue it produces; but it is hoped the balance will eventually be on the other side. . Several, notices of motion were given ; . perhaps the most important beiDg that by Mr W. T. Buclriand, to the effect that a general amnesty to all political offenders is desirable, &c. It will probably be adopted all but unanimously, as everybody;,wants to stand well with the Maoris, and none wish to be pointed out as their euemies, which would be a sure result if they opposed the resolution. It is, at‘ any rate, a master stroke of policy on the part of the mover, a lessee of Maori land, who will be looked on as “ their friend ” who got their brethren out of prison. But what is the meaning of “ political offenders ?” Are any • properly; so called in prison; here ? Or are the mnrderers of Tolkner, Fulloon, &c., political prisoners ? The Aucklanders seem scarcely to think of asking such .questions. The hobby nowis, make as much fuss about the Maoris as possible. ; Well, be it so; although it may he, carried too far.

. The Upper Thames is not yet open to the pakeha, but will probably soon bo so. The Press‘says, and correctly, “Let the ?objectors alone.” But- if Press and Governn ent let them alone, private .speculators, will not. The prize is too valuable to be unchallenged. Mt George Graham has been and seeii Te Hira,- the: -principal chief of the objectors ; and is said to be invited to “ come again,” which he, doubtless will do, and will be a fortunate inan if he succeeds in purchasing a slip of auriferous' 'country, ; or even a likely patch on the river, to form a-township on when the district is open to mining. Who .would'not deem; such a speculation worth a little trouble ; aye, worth a little cant about being the “ real pure friend of the illused’ &c.” ; 1 ' As there is how supposed free trade in land, no, man can be -blameable for trying to obtain a good piece,. only it rather jars with the pretence of extra religion/ abundant charity/or ; over-flowihg-i love to the Maoris, 1 which some me.u> profess. The appears, to.he a fine ; river, mid the land is said to be first-class; so, apart from gdldj it Woiild .be h great acquisition 1 tb tbid 1 pakebaiThe'/income/ derivable from the diggers isH!am : argument; that needs all ! . the - stubborn, of |he^aori ; td 3 ,resist, it,,/andthosq. stable it,-, effectually. dg&mst' their 1 objecting bjwtffieh : althongh/the;“timeiwhen??is/hots6 clear.., .

ber of men on the field, and that is mainly, if not solely, from less than a dozen claims. One machine was at work last week, hnd a 1 second is said to be at work now, so the / place will be tested soon, if ever. The ground open has been added to, both on north and south. But" the gold can scarcely fail, .to prove the, destruction of the Maori, as a ruling power here. Drinking' and swaggering about, like the flashest specimen of the digger genus, will do for the Maori what bullets and bayonets were found inadequate for. Such seems the order of nature.

We are having very stormy unseasonable weather, more like a stormy July than November.