AUCKLAND.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1244, 2 June 1864, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

From our papers, which are to the 23rd May, we take the following paragraphs :— . Tiie .Thames Valley Gold Field.—Samples of gold liaVe from time to time been found 111 the Valley of the Thames. Two persons have recently returned from the district, bringing with them small specimens of the auriferous metal, and some time ago, a gentleman thoroughly siequainted with goldfields, bought some fine specimens of alluvial gold, of excellent quality from a native. One of the nuggets weighed about two ounces and a half, the total nearly seven ounces. This was found on Native land in the Thames district, the exact locality being known to our informant. Experienced diggers have long been decidedly of opinion that the Valley of the Thames is a rich and productive goldfield. Their views are based on the information gained of the conformation of the country, and on the fact that a very partial examination by different and independent parties, has resulted in alluvial gold being found in various portions of the district. The presumption is, then, that the goldfield is an extensive one, for the glittering metal has been already found both on lands confiscated through the rebellion, and on territory still in possession of the natives. Coroinandel would appear to be simply an out post, a sample and indication of something much more extensive than itself ; a tapping, as it were, on a small scale, of an extensive region along which the glittering and precious metal is to be found.—Herald, May 20. This Proposed Railway.—On Friday last, the Railway Commissioners visited Otahuhu and Drury, for the purpose of satisfying themselves as to where the stations for those townships might be most advantageously placed. We understand that nothing definite has been come to with regard to Otahuhu; but that as it respects Drury, Mr. W. J. Young has made an offer of the ground necessary for the formation of a line through his paddock, viz., 90 feet wide, together with 5 acres of the same land for a railway station. This is on condition, of course, that the line is carried 011 some little way beyond the surveyed terminus, in; which .case, it would necessarily enter the ground which Mr. Young is prepared to give. Everyone who knows the locality will see how advantageous to the public such an offer, ifaccepted, will be. The station as proposed—in Mr. Yonng's

paddock—would be between his) hotel and the trainway of the Waihoihoi coal company; and a right of way would of course be granted from the to the Great South ltoad. One advantage of accepting his offer—and wc cannot supposo that the Railway Commissioners will be so blind to the interests of the public as to refuse it—is that when it becomes necessary to extend the line to Cameron-town or the Waikato. it will be a straight one; and a considerable saving of money will thereby be effected.—Southern Cross, May 23. The arrival of the Sir George Grey from Port

Elizabeth has increased the population of this province by about one hundred souls. The appearance of these immigrants, and the description that has been given to us of their resources, the most of them being small capitalists, are such as to lead us to believe that they are a most desirable class of colonists; and many of them being old settlers, and well inured to the. hardships and difficulties of a bush life, is a guarantee that they will find the change an agreeable one. The Sir George: Grey was chartered by Mr. Court, whose name will be found mentioned elsewhere, and being an influential settler used to the work of colonization, and in search of fresh fields for liis energy and capital, we believe he could not have steered his barque to a better place than Auckland. Mr. Court' has - not left the Cape colony without credentials of his worth, as will be seen from the following paragraph from the Eastern Province Herald (Port Elizabeth), April s: —" While we regret to see so many of our fellow-colonists leaving the country of their adoption, we are glad that Mr. Court lias taken every care that they are well provided on the voyage, and that their accommodation arid comfort have been studiously considered. In connection with this subject, we may mention that a dinner was given last night to Mr. Court by several of his fellow townsmen, at the Phoenix Hotel, J. S. Kirkwood, Esq., presided, and John Holland, Esq., acted as vice. About five-and-twenty sat down to table, and a very pleasant evening was spent." We may add that Mr. Court has not allowed the opportunity to slip of doing his share towards the work of acclimatisation, for he has brought with him, as a present to Sir George Grey, 6 guinea fowls, 3 pheasants, and 4 partridges. He shipped 21 partridges and 6 pheasants; but the above are all that survived, the voyage. Mr. Court brings also a large assortment of plants and seeds.—lbid. Departure of the Colonial Secretary for Wanganui.—The Prince Alfred, p.s., Capt. Lawrie, arrived on Saturday afternoon from Poponga. She is loaded with timber and is bound for Taranaki. She returned to Onehunga for the purpose of taking on board the hon. the Colonial Secretary, who is going to Wanganui. The Prince Alfred is to receive at Taranaki 300 troops, and after discharging is to proceed with them to Wanganui. The hon. the Colonial Secretary arrived at Onehunga yesterday morning, at ten o'clock, and went on board the Prince Alfred, which immediately got under way. The hon. T. Russell accompanied him to Onehunga. The Prince Alfred crossed the bar in safety at 12 o'clock yesterday. —Southern Cross, May 23.